Sexuality Related Social Support Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual ("LGB") youth may face significant stressors related to their sexual orientation. Few studies, however, have examined youth's experiences of support for coping with these stressors. The current study compared LGB youth's perceptions of support for sexuality stress to their support for other types of problems. The links between sexuality stress, sexuality support, and emotional distress were also examined. Ninety-eight LGB youth (ages 18-21, 33% female) rated support from family, heterosexual friends, and sexual minority friends for dealing with problems related, and not related, to their sexuality. From family and heterosexual friends, support for sexuality stress was less available than support for other stressors. Sexual minority friends provided the highest levels of sexuality support. In regression analyses, higher levels of sexuality support related to decreased emotional distress and buffered against the negative effects of sexuality stress on emotional distress. Sexuality support, although less available than other types of support, may be especially relevant to mental health among LGB youth.

Thriving and Adapting: Resilience, Sense of Community, and Syndemics among Young Black Gay and Bisexual Men

“…Such support may be especially relevant for Black sexual minority youth who come from a cultural background emphasizing the primacy of the family . Furthermore, sexuality-specific social support, as these men experienced not only from their families, but also from other GBM, plays a particularly protective role in the mental health of sexual minority youth (Doty, Willoughby, Lindahl & Malik, 2010). These men had access to sexuality-specific forms of support across multiple environments, including from Detroit's Black gay community.…”

“…It was often women who played identity-affirming and health promoting roles. Females are typically more accepting of GBM than are males (D'Augelli, Hershberger & Pilkington,1998;Garofalo et al, 2008) and mothers are frequently cited as a primary means of social support, including sex-specific social support, for young GBM (Doty et al, 2010). That men described families as positively influencing their identity development and sexual decision making suggests family support may be an important influence over young Black GBM's well-being and sexual behavior.…”

Communicatie met ouders en vrienden als buffer tegen symptomen van angst en depressie voor same-sex attracted jongeren

“…In eerder onderzoek is gesuggereerd dat SSA-jongeren die een hogere mate van sociale steun ervaren minder last hebben van psychische problemen dan jongeren die deze steun in veel mindere mate ervaren (o.a. Doty, Willoughby, Lindahl, & Malik, 2010;Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006;Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995;Kwon, 2013;Meyer, 2003;Vincke & Van Heeringen, 2002). In de huidige studie wordt onder jongeren (13-20 jaar) onderzocht of kwaliteit van communicatie met ouders en zelfonthulling aan vrienden in 'face to face' en online interacties de relaties tussen de mate van SSA en symptomen van angst en depressie kunnen doen afnemen.…”

“…In de afgelopen jaren heeft onderzoek onder SSA-jongeren zich toenemend gericht op de rol van sociale steun als beschermende factor voor symptomen van angst en depressie die samenhangen met seksuele oriëntatie (o.a. Doty et al, 2010;Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006;Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995;Kwon, 2013;Meyer, 2003;Russell, 2005;Vincke & Van Heeringen, 2002). De aanwezigheid van een 'buffer' kan het risico op negatieve gevolgen van een andere factor doen verdwijnen of verminderen.…”

“…De aanwezigheid van een 'buffer' kan het risico op negatieve gevolgen van een andere factor doen verdwijnen of verminderen. Steun van anderen blijkt onder SSA-jongeren bijvoorbeeld de relatie tussen stressvolle ervaringen, zoals stigma en discriminatie, en emotionele problemen te doen verdwijnen (Doty et al, 2010). Er kan worden aangenomen dat jongeren sociale steun ervaren door goede interpersoonlijke relaties.…”