Relationships Between Sexual Orientation and Coping Styles of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents from a Community High School

Abstract

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adolescents have been reported to be at increased risk for a variety of physical and emotional illnesses compared to heterosexual youths. Coping styles have been associated with health risks in a variety of physical and emotional illnesses. We report on the coping style of 106 self-identified GLB high school students from a total 1769 high school students who completed an anonymous health risk questionnaire that included specific questions related to coping style. We found that there was an overall significant effect of sexual orientation on coping style. In addition, both approach and avoidant styles of coping were significantly greater in those who self-identified as GLB. We conclude that when compared to a community sample of self-identified heterosexual youth, GLB youth overall demonstrate high levels of coping behaviors in order to assist them with the stresses and difficulties associated with GLB status.