The Mediating Role of Feeling Safe and Belonging in the Effect of Homophobic Bullying on the Academic Life and Self of Young LGB Portuguese Students

Abstract

Homophobic bullying in schools affects the sense of safety and belonging of LGBT youth in the school community, with several impacts. We know that homophobic bullying has consequences, but it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying these consequences, and how we can mitigate some of these consequences. We know that we cannot erase bullying, but there are ways to reduce and/or mitigate its effects. The goal of this research was then to understand what variables (eg,, a sense of security and a sense of belonging) could explain the impacts of bullying, and what variables in a school context we could intervene with. Thus, an online questionnaire was used and 562 participants from Portugal (15 to 21 years old) participated. The results showed that the sense of safety of LGBT youth mediates the relationship between homophobic bullying and absenteeism, as well as academic performance. It was also possible to conclude that the feeling of belonging mediates the relationship between bullying and the student's low self-esteem. The results and implications for education policy are discussed.