Sexual Identity Distress, Social Support, and the Health of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

Sex researchers and mental health clinicians have long recognized that the stigma surrounding homosexuality plays an important role in shaping the social psychological adjustment of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (g/l/b) people. In recent years, researchers have suggested that sexual identity- related distress may influence the physical health status of g/l/b people, primarily because of the ways these self-related feelings and beliefs impact patterns of health-related behavior. This study examines the influence of sexual identity distress and social support on g/l/b youth's drug and alcohol use, psychological distress, and risky sexual behavior. The data come from a services research demonstration program conducted at the Indiana Youth Group, Inc., a g/l/b youth development agency based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Results indicate that sexual identity distress is strongly associated with psychological distress, less frequent use of alcohol, and using fewer types of illegal drugs. Being out to more people in one's support network, however, attenuates the severity of youth's sexual identity-related distress. Youth who report more support ties to g/l/b people indicate engaging in more frequent risky sexual behavior. The implications of these findings for theories of g/l/b youth's sexual identity development are discussed.

Minority stress and health: Implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people

“…These findings are consistent with findings of Lewis, Derlega, Griffin and Krowinski (2003) Consistent with Wright and Perry (2006), sexual identity distress was significantly predictive of psychological distress.…”

“…• The Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire (Pinel, 1999) • The Sexual Identity Distress Scale (Wright & Perry, 2006) • The Mental Health Inventory Psychological Distress I Subscale (Veit & Ware, 1983) The questionnaire also collected demographic information and data on respondents' level of openness about sexual/gender identity, support network, and participation in the LGBT community.…”

Predicting Sense of Coherence and Sense of Identity among Transgender People – Role of Perceived Social Stigma and Social Support

“…Wright and Perry (12) suggested that sexual identity-related distress may influence the physical health status of g/l/b people. Results indicate that sexual identity distress is strongly associated with psychological distress, less frequent use of alcohol, and using fewer types of illegal drugs.…”

Internalized Homophobia and Suicidal Ideation among LGB Youth

“…There are few studies that have assessed the impact of peer bullying on IH among youths, demonstrating that homophobic bullying among teenagers with a negative LGB identity, a concept reflecting IH, accentuates difficulties in accepting one's sexual orientation [9,13]. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that heterosexist harassment, rejection and discrimination is related to IH among young LGB individuals, and have shown that both factors increased psychological distress, depression and anxiety [3,14,15]. Lower self-esteem has also been associated to suicidal ideation [16], and suicidal attempt [17].…”