“You're So Gay!”: Do Different Forms of Bullying Matter for Adolescent Males?

Abstract

This study examined effects of adolescent males' perceptions of being bullied because of verbal taunts related to gender nonconformity (i.e., "They say I'm gay"). Participants included 251 ninth-(n = 77), tenth-(n = 96), and eleventh-(n = 78) grade students in a private, all-male college preparatory school. Participants were divided into two groups based on whether they were bullied by being called gay. Out of the 251 participants, 121 (48%) reported having been bullied and 127 (50%) stated that they had not been bullied during the past year (2% did not report). Of the 121 participants who had been bullied, 32 (26%) reported that they had been bullied because others called them gay (Group 1) and 89 (74%) reported that they had been bullied for other reasons, exclusive of being called gay (Group 2). Consistent with predictions, the boys who were bullied because they were called gay experienced greater psychological distress, greater verbal and physical bullying, and more negative perceptions of their school experiences than boys who were bullied for other reasons. Implications for school-based intervention services for bullying are discussed.

Beyond Same-Sex Attraction: Gender-Variant-Based Victimization Is Associated with Suicidal Behavior and Substance Use for Other-Sex Attracted Adolescents

“…The current work has potential implications for interventions addressing types of bullying that have gender-variant-based victimization components. For example, over the last several years, homophobic bullying has been identified as a key risk factor for suicidal behavior, substance use, and other negative health outcomes in adolescents [ 3 , 29 , 30 ]. This has resulted in research mostly focusing on identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), questioning, or being same-sex attracted as risk factors for negative health outcomes [ 3 , 4 ], or for experiencing victimization [ 31 , 32 ].…”

Gender and Sexual Orientation Bullying Victimization are Associated with Gun Carrying Among Adolescent Boys

“…In a small sample of adolescent boys, researchers found that participants who experienced bullying victimization based on perceived sexual orientation (e.g. bullying because perpetrators believed victims were gay) were more likely to experience psychological distress and poor perceptions of their schooling (Swearer, Turner, Givens, & Pollack, 2008). This research shows the negative impact bullying victimization based on gender and sexual orientation has on adolescent boys' social and mental health.…”

“…Social workers can explore the type of bullying to help identify specific interventions to best support the adolescent, as well as prevent further risky behaviors (e.g. gun carrying at school, suicidal ideation, and alcohol use; Collier et al, 2013;Holt et al, 2015;Swearer et al, 2008). Lastly, it is imperative that public policies focus on reducing gun access among adolescents, including increasing safe storage of firearms and strengthening background checks, as well as focusing on the implementation of anti-bullying, positive youth development, and school safety initiatives.…”

“As a Parent You Become a Tiger”: Parents Talking about Bullying at School

“…This includes the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth (e.g. Almeida et al 2009 ; Swearer et al 2008 ), disabled young people (e.g. Bourke and Burgman 2010 ), and the association between race/ethnicity and peer victimisation (e.g.…”