Violence Victimization among Sexual Minority High School Students: Impact of School Disorganization on Mental Health Outcomes

• In Event: Special Issue for Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice “School Violence and Safety” Thematic Panel 1

Abstract

This manuscript examined the moderating impact of disorganized school environments and peer victimization on the association between sexual orientation and mental health outcomes among a large sample of high school students in a Midwestern state. 11,794 9th - 12th graders across 23 high schools completed a survey that assessed sexual orientation, transgender status, race, sex, victimization experiences (peer, dating), risky school characteristics, anxiety and suicidality. Multilevel analyses indicated that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) individuals with lower rates of victimization had significantly lower rates of suicidal behaviors compared to LGBQ individuals with higher rates of victimization. LGBQ individuals in high risk school contexts had higher suicidal behaviors than their non-LGBQ counterparts. LGBQ status at low levels of school risk had lower rates of suicidal behaviors than their non-LGBQ counterparts. Interventions need to consider multiple forms of victimization and school environment as risk and protective factors for LGBQ and transgender youth.

Authors

• Dorothy L. Espelage, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

• Gabriel J. Merrin, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign