Victimization of Sexual Minority Latinx Youth: Results From a National Survey

Abstract

Limited previous research has explored the intersectional stress and trauma sexual minority (SM) Latinx youth experience generated by being part of at least two minoritized groups. The Dating Violence among Latino Adolescents (DAVILA) study employed a national sample of Latinx youth and queried a range of victimizations in the past year, via a bilingual phone survey. Of the 1525 12–18-year-old youth interviewed for DAVILA, 123 either identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or had at least one same-sex dating partner. Measures included the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, the Conflict Tactics Scale Short Form, Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Rates of dating violence, psychological dating violence, sexual victimization, and polyvictimization were significantly higher among sexual minority (SM) youth, compared to heterosexual (HET) youth. Victimized SM youth had significantly more depression, anxiety, and hostility than victimized HET youth. Sexual minority youth also reported less social support from family and significant others. A sequential regression showed psychosocial factors of mental health functioning and social support were associated with the number of victimizations above and beyond demographic factors, including SM status. Together these results underscore that SM youth experience greater adverse outcomes than HET youth. However, it is not SM status that directly relates to victimization, but the negative effects of psychological distress and low social support, that account for the higher number of victimizations of SM Latinx youth. These factors are closely linked to the stigmatization that SM youth face. As such efforts to destigmatize SM identities are needed to address the health and safety of SM Latinx youth.

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence, self‐esteem, and the role of LGBTQ‐specific parental support in a sample of Latinx sexual and gender minority youth

“…These findings shine light on the various forms of victimization that affect Latinx SGM youth. Specifically, while some research documents the prevalence of violence and its consequences on Latinx SGM youth's mental health outcomes (e.g., Sabina et al, 2022; Vance et al, 2021), we expand on these earlier findings by highlighting how other forms of victimization (i.e., sexual harassment and sexual assault) also significantly affect these communities. In addition, while current research shows that Latinx SGM youth experience negative mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety as a result of different forms of victimization (e.g., Zongrone et al, 2020), our findings contribute to this research by showing that self‐esteem may be important to focus on to improve the wellbeing of Latinx SGM youth.…”

“…For example, as part of the National School Climate Survey, a sample of 3352 Latinx SGM youth reported experiences of physical assault (e.g., punched, kicked, injured with weapon) as a result of intersectional discrimination and harassment based on their sexual orientation, gender expression, and race and ethnicity (Zongrone et al, 2020). Similarly, in a recent study with 1,525 Latinx youths shows that sexual minority youth reported higher incidents of sexual violence compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Sabina et al, 2022). Exploring the impact (e.g., self-esteem) of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence on Latinx SGM youth is important for understanding the unique experiences of these communities.…”

“…Furthermore, some studies indicate that both Black and Latinx youth experience higher levels of sexual harassment compared to their White counterparts (e.g., Clear et al, 2014). Although research has been slow to explore the prevalence and impact of sexual harassment on Latinx SGM youth, some studies show that these communities experience identity‐based harassment (Sabina et al, 2022).…”

“…In addition, research shows that Latinx youth are also disproportionally exposed to violence (see review in Dawkins & Rodriguez, 2016; Santacrose et al, 2021). An emerging small body of research has found that Latinx SGM youth experience violence at a high rate (e.g., Lardier et al, 2017; Sabina et al, 2022; Zongrone et al, 2020). For example, as part of the National School Climate Survey , a sample of 3352 Latinx SGM youth reported experiences of physical assault (e.g., punched, kicked, injured with weapon) as a result of intersectional discrimination and harassment based on their sexual orientation, gender expression, and race and ethnicity (Zongrone et al, 2020).…”

“…Similarly, regarding SGM youth, exposure to victimization is related to higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicidality, substance abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among other outcomes (e.g., see review in Abreu et al, 2022; Espelage et al, 2016; Feinstein & Dyar, 2017; Kosciw et al, 2018; Truong & Zongrone, 2022). Furthermore, regarding the intersectional experiences of victimization on Latinx SGM youth's mental health, research shows that increased exposure to various forms of victimization (e.g., harassment, physical violence) increases depression, anxiety, and suicidality, among other outcomes, for these communities (e.g., Sabina et al, 2022; Vance et al, 2021; Zongrone et al, 2020).…”