Sexual And Gender Minority Youth Research Articles

“It changed me for the better”: Feasibility, acceptability, and safety of an online program for sexual and gender minority youth to prevent alcohol use and teen dating violence

ObjectiveThe purpose of the current study was to describe and present implementation outcome data from an open pilot trial of the Promoting Resilient Youth with Strong Hearts and Mind (PRYSHM) Program, an online, live-facilitated, nine-session group program for dating sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) ages 15 to 18. The program, co-facilitated by two LGBTQIA2S+ adults, focuses on reducing proximal forms of minority stress and building LGBTQIA2S+ community in addition to providing evidence-based teen dating violence (TDV) and alcohol use (AU) prevention components. MethodParticipants (recruited via social media) included 18 SGMY (ages 15 to 17) from across the U.S. who completed a baseline survey and immediate post-test, as well as post-session surveys following each of the nine sessions. Sessions were recorded to monitor fidelity and facilitation skills. ResultsThe intervention was highly acceptable, and the program was perceived to be relevant and impactful, as evidenced by SGMY agreeing or strongly agreeing to items assessing these domains. Further, fidelity was 82.4% (average) across sessions, and the average attendance was 6.50 out of 9 sessions. SGMY also provided open-ended feedback used to revise the PRYSHM program for future implementation and evaluation research. ConclusionThese data provide preliminary support for PRYSHM as a feasible, acceptable, and safe prevention program and suggest that further evaluation of the program using larger samples and rigorous outcome evaluation methods is warranted.

Mental health and body image among SGM youth engaged with a digital eating disorder intervention

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) teens may experience body image concerns and eating disorders (EDs) at higher rates than their non-SGM peers. The current investigation examined differences in baseline survey responses by SGM and non-SGM youth who participated in a pilot randomized controlled trial of a digital intervention for EDs. Eligible teens (N = 147) aged 14–17 years old who screened positive or at high risk for an ED completed a baseline survey to assess current ED symptoms, mental health comorbidities, and ED treatment history. The majority of participants (mean age 16.021 years) screened positive for symptoms of a clinical/subclinical ED (n = 98, 66.7%), 123 endorsed severe anxiety (83.7%), and 81 endorsed severe depression (55.1%). A total of 72.1% (n = 106) identified as SGM and were more likely to report severe symptoms of depression (p = 0.01), any symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.03), social anxiety disorder (p = 0.02), and lifetime suicide attempts (p<.001), compared with non-SGM peers. Qualitative feedback on the intersection of SGM identities and body image concerns were also reported among SGM teens. Future eating disorder interventions provided to SGM youth should include content on comorbidities like depression and anxiety, which may be barriers to ED recovery among SGM teens.

Bias-Based Bullying Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Living With Disabilities

Both sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) and youth living with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by bias-based bullying in school settings. While research has separately examined how sexual and gender minority status and disability status are associated with experiences of bullying, very little research has explored the experiences of youth living with these identities simultaneously. This study examined to what extent SGMY report differential experiences of bias-based bullying depending on various identities and the type of disability an individual reports. Utilizing a diverse sample of SGMY aged 13–17 (N= 2,239), multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to test whether there were differences in the likelihood of being bullied for having specific identities, based on disability type, among SGMY. Results indicated a variety of differences in bullying based on gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual and gender minority identity, and disability. Participants who reported having a mental disability were more likely to experience multiple forms of bias-based bullying surrounding their gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sexual and gender minority status, and disability type when compared with other gender minority youth with disabilities. These findings may help to inform supportive services in school settings.

The effects of family support and smartphone-derived homestay on daily mood and depression among sexual and gender minority adolescents.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents are at elevated risk for depression. This risk is especially pronounced among adolescents whose home environment is unsupportive or nonaffirming, as these adolescents may face familial rejection due to their identity. Therefore, it is critical to better understand the mechanisms underlying this risk by probing temporally sensitive associations between negative mood and time spent in potentially hostile home environments. The current study included adolescents (N = 141; 43% SGM; 13-18 years old), oversampled for depression history, who completed clinical interviews assessing lifetime psychiatric history and depression severity as well as self-report measures of social support. Participants also installed an app on their personal smartphones, which assessed their daily mood and geolocation-determined mobility patterns over a 6-month follow-up period. Over the 6-month follow-up period, SGM adolescents reported elevated depression severity and lower daily mood relative to non-SGM youth. Interestingly, SGM adolescents who reported low family support experienced lower daily mood than non-SGM adolescents, particularly on days when they spent more time at home. Current findings reinforce evidence for disparities in depression severity among SGM adolescents and highlight family support as a key factor. Specifically, more time spent in home environments with low family support was associated with worse mood among SGM adolescents. These results underscore the need for clinical interventions to support SGM youth, particularly interventions that focus on familial relationships and social support within the home environment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Stigma and anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of sexual and gender minority youth.

Parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth play an important role in supporting their SGM child's mental health in the face of stigma. Yet, parents of SGM youth may themselves experience stigma, including discrimination/rejection, and its emotional consequences, including vicarious stigma and shame. The present cross-sectional study leveraged a national sample of parents of SGM youth to investigate associations between parents' stigma experiences and self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms. Further, we additionally explored sociodemographic and contextual correlates of parents' stigma experiences. Participants included 264 parents (Mage = 46) who reported having at least one SGM child under age 30 (Mage = 18). The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual-Affiliate Stigma Measure (LGB-ASM) assessed parents' experiences of discrimination/rejection (e.g., actual and anticipated rejection experiences due to having an SGM child), vicarious stigma (e.g., worry and concern for one's SGM child), and shame (e.g., feeling embarrassed for having an SGM child). Parents indicated their anxiety and depressive symptoms using respective Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-short forms. Results showed that vicarious stigma and shame, but not discrimination/rejection, were uniquely associated with parents' increased symptoms of anxiety (vicarious stigma: β = 1.59, p < .001; shame: β = 2.15, p < .001) and depression (vicarious stigma: β = 0.90, p < .01; shame: β = 2.77, p < .001). Further, parents with more accepting religious, racial, ethnic, and/or cultural communities reported lower stigma experiences. This study advances understanding of how the psychological consequences of stigma extend beyond SGM people themselves and contribute to mental health difficulties in parents of SGM youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors associated with the use of psychedelics, ketamine and MDMA among sexual and gender minority youths in Canada: a machine learning analysis

BackgroundSubstance use is increasing among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). This increase may be due to changes in social norms and socialisation, or due to SGMY exploring the potential...

Health disparities in one of the world’s most progressive countries: a scoping review of mental health and substance use among sexual and gender minority people in the Netherlands

BackgroundEvidence from many parts of the world shows that sexual and gender minority (SGM) people have poorer health than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Minority stressors, particularly stigma and discrimination, have been identified as major contributors to sexual orientation- and gender identity-related health disparities, particularly negative mental health and behavioral health outcomes. To better understand factors that contribute to these disparities, we conducted a scoping review of SGM mental health and substance use research in the Netherlands—a country with a long-standing reputation as a pioneer in SGM equality.MethodsUsing Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR protocol, we searched seven databases to identify studies published between 2010 and 2022 that focused on substance use and/or mental health of SGM youth and adults in the Netherlands.ResultsAlthough there was some evidence that SGM people in the Netherlands report fewer substance use and mental health concerns than those in less progressive countries, with very few exceptions studies found poorer outcomes among SGM participants than cisgender, heterosexual participants. However, this observation must be considered cautiously given major gaps in the literature. For example, only one study focused exclusively on adult sexual minority women, two focused on older SGM adults, and very little attention was given to nonbinary individuals. Most studies used non-probability samples that were quite homogenous. Many studies, especially those with youth, assessed sexual orientation based on sexual attraction; some studies of adults operationalized SGM status as having a same-sex partner. Importantly, we found no studies that directly assessed associations between structural-level stigma and health outcomes. Studies were mostly focused at the individual level and on health problems; very little attention was given to strengths or resilience.ConclusionsFindings of persistent health disparities—despite the relatively long history of SGM supportive policies in the Netherlands—highlight the need for more research and greater attention to population groups that have been underrepresented. Such research would not only provide guidance on strategies to improve the health of SGM people in the Netherlands, but also in other countries that are seeking to reduce health inequities. Addressing SGM health disparities in the Netherlands and elsewhere is complex and requires a multifaceted approach that addresses individual, interpersonal and structural factors.

Systematic Review of Intervention and Prevention Programs to Tackle Homophobic Bullying at School: a Socio-emotional Learning Skills Perspective

AbstractHomophobia is a persisting and changing phenomenon globally affecting the educational system. Data clearly shows that school is not perceived as a safe environment for sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). This work aims to systematically review the intervention and prevention programs designed to specifically address bullying behaviors at school towards SGMY, providing an analysis of the socio-emotional learning (SEL) components included in the interventions, to understand which socio-emotional skills can enhance students’ capabilities to prevent homophobic behaviors and promote safe environments for all students. The literature research was completed in February 2023 on NCBI PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist and diagram. A total of 408 studies were evaluated. 24 studies were selected as eligible for the final review. Each study was coded according to the targeted population: students, teachers, or to a whole school; moreover, the SEL model components were used as further classification criteria. The majority of interventions were targeted to students and to enhance social awareness. The literature review reported the lack of whole-school approaches, and most programs were not explicitly designed according to a SEL taxonomy despite the importance of socio-emotional skills in preventing prejudicial bullying. The review highlights the relevance of a socio-ecological approach to universal and targeted interventions.

Asian American &amp; Pacific Islander SGM Emerging Adult Mental Health: Current Trends and Next Steps

Abstract Background Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) sexual and gender minority (SGM) young and emerging adults are an especially high-risk group to consider in mental health research, holding multiple marginalized identities &amp; report discrimination based on race/ethnicity &amp; immigration status at double the rate of overall SGM youth. There is a need for extensive national studies that capture the experience of AAPI SGM youth to comprehensively elucidate the mental health burden on this often-overlooked population in the COVID-19 era. This study aims to describe the national landscape of AAPI SGM university student mental health &amp; treatment usage. Methods We data from the Healthy Minds Study, conducted between September 2021-May 2022 (n = 89,255) across 133 campuses in the United States. We used bivariate analyses &amp; cross-sectional logistic regression models to evaluate mental health symptoms, risk/protective factors, &amp; treatment utilization across AAPI SGM students. Results Preliminary findings indicate that 78% of AAPI SGM respondents report the presence of one or more positive screens for depression, anxiety, eating disorder, suicidal ideation, or non-suicidal self-injury. Among these students, approximately 57% report utilizing therapy or psychotropic medication. Experiences of discrimination &amp; financial stress were the strongest correlates of mental health symptoms. Self-reported experiences of discrimination based on race, culture, &amp; sexual orientation were associated with higher odds of treatment utilization for AAPI SGM domestic students but not for international students. Conclusions The data underscore the need to consider the adequacy of current approaches in supporting AAPI SGM mental health, as well as unique ways to foster protective institutional &amp; intrapersonal factors &amp; increase investments to culturally responsive, gender-affirming treatment &amp; prevention programs that address mental health disparities already looming in minoritized communities.

Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Digital Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Navigation and Activation Intervention for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (PrEPresent): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

To end the HIV epidemic by 2030, we must double down on efforts to tailor prevention interventions to both young men who have sex with men and transgender and nonbinary youth. There is an urgent need for interventions that specifically focus on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) populations. There are several factors that impact the ability of SGMY to successfully engage in the HIV prevention continuum, including uptake of PrEP. Patient activation, having the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to manage one's health, is an important indicator of willingness and ability to manage one's own health and care autonomously. Patient navigation also plays an important role in helping SGMY access PrEP and PrEP care, as navigators help guide patients through the health care system, set up medical appointments, and get financial, legal, and social support. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a digital PrEP navigation and activation intervention among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of SGMY living in the Los Angeles area. In phase 1, we will conduct formative research to inform the development of PrEPresent using qualitative data from key informant interviews involving PrEP care providers and navigators and working groups with SGMY. In phase 2, we will complete 2 rounds of usability testing of PrEPresent with 8-10 SGMY assessing both the intervention content and mobile health delivery platform to ensure features are usable and content is understood. In phase 3, we will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PrEPresent. We will randomize, 1:1, a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 150 SGMY aged 16-26 years living in the Los Angeles area and follow participants for 6 months. Phase 1 (formative work) was completed in April 2021. Usability testing was completed in December 2021. As of June 2023, 148 participants have been enrolled into the PrEPresent pilot randomized controlled trial (phase 3). Enrollment is expected to be completed in July 2023, with final results anticipated in December 2023. The PrEPresent intervention aims to bridge the gaps in PrEP eligibility and PrEP uptake among racially and ethnically diverse SGMY. By facilitating the delivery of PrEP navigation and focusing on improving patient activation, the PrEPresent intervention has the potential to positively impact the PrEP uptake cascade in the HIV care continuum as well as serve as a model for the tailoring of PrEP interventions based on behavior-based qualifications for PrEP instead of generalized gender-based eligibility. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05281393; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05281393. DERR1-10.2196/50866.

Latent class analysis of substance use typologies associated with mental and sexual health outcomes among sexual and gender minority youth.

Little is known about sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) who have sex with men's unique patterns of substance use, even though they are at risk for substance use and adverse mental and other health outcomes. We used latent class analysis to examine typologies of substance use and multinomial logistic regression to investigate mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety) and HIV/STI testing correlates associated with different classes of substance use in a sample of SGMY who have sex with men in the USA and use substances (n = 414) who participated in an online survey. The average age was 22.50 years old (SD = 3.22). A four-class solution was identified representing: 'depressant and stimulant use' (3.4%), 'high polysubstance use' (4.6%), 'low substance use with moderate cannabis use' (79.2%), and 'high cannabis, stimulant and alcohol use' (12.8%). Membership to a specified substance use class varied by age, previous arrest, gender identity, anxiety, and lifetime HIV testing. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that participants in the high polysubstance use (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI 1.51, 19.97) and high cannabis use class (AOR = 3.87, 95% CI 1.25, 11.94) were significantly more likely than those in the low substance use with moderate cannabis use class to report previous arrest. Those in the high polysubstance use class were also significantly less likely to have been tested for HIV than those in the low substance use with moderate cannabis use class (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.05, 0.93). Findings will guide the development and implementation of tailored approaches to addressing the intersection of substance use and HIV risk among SGMY.

“Anticipate the need”: a narrative analysis of service providers’ experiences working with sexual and gender minority youth in British Columbia, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This study explores service providers’ accounts of working with sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth and the improvised and non-institutionalized adaptations to their delivery of care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We present a narrative analysis of data from qualitative, in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted between July 2020 and August 2021 with 16 service providers who deliver programs and services for SGM youth in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Drawing on a central narrative of uncertainty in driving improvised adaptations to service provision amid the pandemic, we identified three sub-narratives: (i) uncertainty as characteristic of liminality; (ii) uncertainty as conducive to cooperation and collaboration; and (iii) uncertainty as enabling ‘blue-sky thinking’ and innovation. In each sub-narrative, we document service providers’ accounts of how they navigated both uncertainty in the absence of direction from their organizations and constraint by COVID-19 public health mandates and guidelines. Amid pandemic-driven interruptions in structured guidance, these improvised practices of care became key in shaping the delivery of care to SGM youth in BC. These accounts offer insights into how uncertainty can be harnessed as a potent source of improvement of services for SGM youth now and throughout future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Intervention among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Living in a Socially Conservative U.S. State

The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine sexual health beliefs, self-efficacy, and knowledge of resources among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) participants. Sexual health education policy is inconsistent throughout the United States, especially in socially conservative regions of the U.S. Reach One Teach One North Dakota (ROTO-ND) was developed as an evidence-based and community implemented sexual health education program. Our results demonstrated improvement across the outcomes of interest among SGMY following the educational intervention. Multivariate analysis offers context of predictor variables post-education. Our findings underscore the importance of inclusive education for SGMY.

An exploratory analysis of overeating patterns among sexual and gender minority youth

ABSTRACT This study utilized a U.S. national dataset of sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) to examine the relationships between gender identity, sexual orientation, and overeating. Results indicate transgender/gender diverse (TGD) youth had a greater risk for overeating than their cisgender counterparts. Youth who identified their sexual orientation as queer, pansexual, or questioning were found to have greater odds of overeating compared to transgender/gender diverse (TGD) straight youth. Among ethno-racial identities, Asian SGMY had the lowest rates of overeating, while Native American and Middle Eastern/Arab SGMY presented the highest rates. Exercise and stress were explored as covariates, along with demographic factors.

Effects of Tobacco Versus Electronic Cigarette Usage on Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality Among Chinese Youth: Cross-Sectional Self-Report Survey Study.

The increase in tobacco/conventional cigarette (CC) and electronic cigarette (EC) usage among Chinese youth has become a growing public health concern. This is the first large-scale study to compare the impact of CC and EC usage on risk for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidality in cis-heterosexual and sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth populations in China. This study examines the CC and EC risks for NSSI and suicidality among Chinese youth and compares the extent to which SGM and cis-heterosexual youth's risks for NSSI and suicidality are influenced by their CC and EC usage and dependence. A total of 89,342 Chinese participants completed a cross-sectional self-report survey in 2021. Sociodemographic information, sexual orientations, gender identities, CC and EC usage, CC and EC dependence, and risks for suicidality and NSSI were assessed. The Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were performed for nonnormally distributed continuous variables and categorical variables, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model was used to examine both the influence of CC and EC usage and CC and EC dependence on NSSI and suicidality as well as the interaction effects of CC and EC usage and CC and EC dependence on NSSI and suicidality by group. The prevalence of CC usage (P<.001) and dependence (P<.001) among SGM participants was lower than that among their cis-heterosexual counterparts. However, the prevalence of EC usage (P=.03) and EC dependence (P<.001) among SGM participants was higher than that among their cis-heterosexual counterparts. The multivariable linear regression model showed that CC dependence and EC dependence had a unique effect on NSSI and suicidality (CCs: B=0.02, P<.001; B=0.09, P<.001; ECs: B=0.05, P<.001; B=0.14, P<.001, respectively). The interaction effects of (1) CC usage and group type on NSSI and suicidality (B=0.34, P<.001; B=0.24, P=.03, respectively) and dual usage and group type on NSSI and suicidality (B=0.54, P<.001; B=0.84, P<.001, respectively) were significant, (2) CC dependence and group type on NSSI were significant (B=0.07, P<.001), and (3) EC dependence and group type on NSSI and suicidality were significant (B=0.04, P<.001; B=0.09, P<.001, respectively). No significant interaction effect was observed between EC usage and group type on NSSI and suicidality (B=0.15, P=.12; B=0.33, P=.32, respectively) and between CC dependence and group type on suicidality (B=-0.01, P=.72). Our study shows evidence of intergroup differences in NSSI and suicidality risks between SGM and cis-heterosexual youth related to CC and EC usage. These findings contribute to the growing literature on CC and EC in cis-heterosexual and SGM populations. Concerted efforts are necessary at a societal level to curb the aggressive marketing strategies of the EC industry and media coverage and to maximize the impact of educational campaigns on EC prevention and intervention among the youth population.

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence, self-esteem, and the role of LGBTQ-specific parental support in a sample of Latinx sexual and gender minority youth.

Oftentimes as result of racism, cissexism, and heterosexism, many Latinx and sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth are victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence. These experiences of victimization are in part related to increased negative mental health outcomes such as decreased self-esteem. Some research links LGBTQ-specific parental support to mental health outcomes among Latinx SGM youth, yet, no research has explored the role of LGBTQ-specific parental support with self-esteem among Latinx SGM youth. In a sample of 1,012 Latinx SGM youth (ages 13-17), we assessed: (a) associations between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and self-esteem, (b) association between LGBTQ-specific parental support and self-esteem, and (c) whether LGBTQ-specific parental support moderated the relation between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and self-esteem. Main effect and moderation analyses examined interactions between LGBTQ-specific parental support with sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence on self-esteem. Latinx SGM youth experienced low levels of LGBTQ-specific parental support and various degrees of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence. Also, transgender and nonbinary/genderqueer Latinx youth experienced lower self-esteem than their Latinx cisgender counterparts. Increased LGBTQ-specific parental support was related to increased self-esteem. We also identified a significant interaction between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and LGBTQ-specific parental support, such that parental support was more protective at low levels rather than high levels of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence among Latinx SGM youth. Findings add to a growing body of research about the importance of LGBTQ-specific parental support for Latinx SGM youth, and the need to examine culturally appropriate approaches to understand parent-child relationship among these communities.

Heteronormativity and Counselor Self-Efficacy Working with Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

ABSTRACT Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face increased harassment, discrimination, and mental health challenges as they navigate heteronormative society, which treats them as abnormal, outcast, or immoral. SGM youth may rely on mental health counselors to help them navigate these unique challenges. There is no research on the relationship between mental health counselors’ levels of heteronormativity and their self-efficacy in working with SGM youth. Using the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and a self-efficacy scale created for this study, the researchers explored the relationship between mental health counselors’ levels of heteronormativity and their levels of self-efficacy in working with SGM youth. The results showed that heteronormativity and self-efficacy in counseling SGM youth were negatively correlated. The researchers explore the implications of these findings for mental health counselors and discuss the research limitations.

Facilitators and barriers to sexual and gender minority youth development: Addressing accessibility and “Isms”, building collaborations, and supporting mental health in community-based organizations

This study illustrates ways that organizations can facilitate or hinder sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) development. These findings emerged from an ethnography (field observations and interviews) conducted with a community-based organization in south-central Texas. Facilitators to SGMY development included helping the youth make friends, realize they’re not alone, figure out who they want to be, and find an alternative family, create an affirming space, build youth confidence, include parents (through bi-monthly parent meetings), and provide youth with concrete resources (scholarships, computers). Barriers included inaccessible meetings, managing overload (emotional, sensory, and logistical), lacking space for meeting in age-specific groups, not engaging the youth and parents with decision-making and organizational activities, overlooking instances of racism, classism, and transphobia, and not addressing mental health needs. Most research focused on SGMY development centers psychological and social processes. This present study identifies the specific role organizations play in supporting SGMY development. The findings from this study demonstrate promising practices that organizations could implement and evaluate to support SGMY development.

A daily diary study of minority stressors, suicidal ideation, nonsuicidal self-injury ideation, and affective mechanisms among sexual and gender minority youth.

Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are at greater risk than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Unique stressors (i.e., minority stressors) specific to SGMY's stigmatized identities such as discrimination or concealment of one's identity are posited to explain these disparities. However, there is limited research examining the associations among minority stressors, affective mediating processes, and STB and NSSI in SGMY's daily lives. We conducted a 28-day daily diary study to test the mediating effects of daily negative and positive affect and emotion dysregulation between minority stressors and STB and NSSI among SGMY who were recruited from clinical and community settings. Participants were 92 SGMY, aged 12-19 years old (M = 16.45; SD = 1.81; 64% cisgender; 69% White). Results indicated that on days SGMY experienced external and internalized minority stressors, they reported greater intensity of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious ideation and affective distress (i.e., greater negative affect, lower positive affect, and more emotion dysregulation). Greater affective reactivity processes were associated with greater suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious ideation intensity on the same day. Most of the within-person associations between external and internalized minority stressors and ideation intensity were mediated by heightened negative affect and emotion dysregulation but not lower positive affect. Our results provide the first evidence of these associations among SGMY, advance the minority stress model, and have implications for clinical interventions as we identified modifiable affective mechanisms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Capturing Resilience: Utilizing the Brief Child and Youth Resilience Measure with Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Abstract This study explores the relevance of the brief Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12) for sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) aged 14–23 (N = 4,810), compares their patterns of resilience with general youth populations, and explores distinctions between key subgroups of SGMY. SGMY reported significantly lower scores, indicating poorer outcomes, than non-SGMY in several CYRM-12 items, especially those addressing familial and community support. Older SGMY (aged 19–23) reported significantly higher CYRM-12 scores than younger SGMY (aged 14–18; t = 11.00, p &amp;lt; .001). Compared with their non-SGMY counterparts, SGMY reported significantly lower scores regarding supportive parental relationships, connection to offline community, and school belongingness yet reported higher scores regarding the importance of education. Three factors contributed to SGMY resilience: (1) peer and community belonging, (2) familial and cultural support, and (3) youth’s personal attributes and self-efficacy. The results of this study also suggest that measuring resilience in SGMY should incorporate online as well as offline sources. Recommendations to enhance the CYRM-12 to capture the experiences of SGMY for social work research and practice are provided.