School Discrimination as Institutional Betrayal Among LGBTQ Students: The Interplay of Victimization, Discrimination, and Well-Being

• In Event: 21.018 - Trauma and Victimization in Childhood

Abstract

This study applies the concept of “institutional betrayal” (Smith & Freyd, 2014) to the LGBTQ youth context by examining school discrimination as a form of institutional betrayal among a national sample of LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth are at elevated risk for negative health outcomes (CDC, 2018) and these disparities may arise, in part, from higher rates of victimization (Bouris et al., 2016). An institutional betrayal framework suggests that these effects are heightened when schools treat students in an unfair or uncaring manner. Results from regression models indicate that the effects of victimization on well-being are exacerbated by discrimination. In schools where LGBTQ youth are marginalized, victimization may be even more damaging. Results provide direction for improving LGBTQ students’ mental health.

Author

• Emily Greytak, GLSEN