Interpersonal Violence Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth: Descriptive Findings From the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Abstract

Interpersonal violence is pervasive among youth in the United States. Sexual minority youth are disproportionately impacted. Utilizing data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS, N = 12,868), this study describes the disparities in victimization among heterosexual and sexual minority youth. Sexual minority status was operationalized to include nonheterosexual identity (e.g., bisexual) and/or behavior (e.g., reporting same- and different-sex partners). Other predictors included sex (male/female), a sexuality*sex interaction term, age, and race/ethnicity. Outcomes included lifetime forced sexual intercourse and 12-month incidence of sexual violence, physical violence in relationships, sexual violence in relationships, in-school bullying, and cyberbullying. Approximately 15% ( n = 1,974) of participants were classified as sexual minority youth and 48% ( n = 6,213) self-identified as female. More than half (56%, n = 7,190) identified as racial and/or ethnic minorities. In bivariate logistic regression, sexual minority youth were significantly more likely to report all outcomes ( p < .001). In multivariable logistic regression, sexual minority and female youth were significantly more likely to report all outcomes ( p < .001). With the exception of physical violence in dating, sexuality*sex interaction terms were significant predictors for all outcomes ( p < .001), indicating that the risks associated with sexual minority status are heightened for male youth. This study concludes with a call for more attention toward violence among and against sexual minority youth. Although some prevention and response efforts address the unique needs and experiences of these youth, particularly antibullying initiatives, efforts to address sexual and dating violence often emphasize heterosexual contexts and communities.

Promoting sexual health in transgender and gender diverse adolescents through an online sexuality psychoeducation program for parents: A case study

“…It is also important to acknowledge that many studies involved samples of LGBTQ+ adolescents: but, although sexual and gender minorities share some features and needs, each of these subgroups has precise needs and characteristics, which require to be specifically taken into consideration. Such studies often collect data about sexual orientation of participants, but rely on a binary operationalization of gender: this limits the possibility of addressing the necessary attention to the specific needs of TGD youth (Levine & Button, 2021), and of keeping an intersectional perspective as regards sexual orientation and gender identity. In order to improve the wellbeing of TGD people and to advance transgender health research, the scientific community acknowledged the need of taking into consideration, also when collecting data, both sexual orientation and gender identity (Cicero et al, 2020).…”

Proportion of ALGBT adult Brazilians, sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported violence

“…Violence also disproportionately affects ALGBT individuals since childhood 16 – 18 . According to the World Health Organization, violence is a complex phenomenon and may be defined as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation” 19 .…”