Poster #186 - Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents in a U.S. Community Sample: Understanding Mental Health Disparities

• In Event: 3-003 - Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Section - Sex, Gender

Integrative Statement

Research indicates that sexual and gender minority adolescents (SGMA) experience increased negative health outcomes compared to heterosexual, cisgender peers. For example, SGMA and young adults may endure higher rates of disordered eating symptoms and depressive symptoms (Kann et al., 2016; Matthews-Ewald, Zullig, & Ward, 2014). While unique patterns of self-objectification have been identified in adult sexual minority populations (Martins, Tiggemann, & Kirkbride, 2007; Kozee & Tylka, 2006), little research has explored these experiences among SGMA. Previous research has also linked increased self-objectification with inhibited “flow” (i.e., peak motivational states; Quinn et al., 2011), but research has yet to examine disrupted flow among SGMA.

These discrepancies may be explained partially by Minority Stress Theory (MST) which posits that SGMA experience discrimination and victimization, placing them at high risk for psychopathology and negative outcomes (Meyer, 2013; Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2011). Adolescence is a developmental period during which many SGM individuals first “come out” (Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000). Victimization during a crucial period for identity development may pose long-term negative outcomes (Marshal et al., 2013). SGMA living amid the culturally conservative rural South may be especially vulnerable to social hostility.

While the literature has exposed health disparities affecting SGM individuals, there is a dearth of research in community samples of SGMA. The primary purpose of this study was to examine mental health disparities of SGMA as compared to non-SGMA. We hypothesized that SGMA would have higher levels of self-objectification, disordered eating symptoms, depression symptoms, and disrupted “flow.” Additionally, as research is limited in this area, we examined the percentage of adolescents in this community sample who endorsed having same-gender attraction, same-gender sexual behavior, and SGM identity.

In 2018, 10th and 11th grade participants (n=226) were recruited from a rural, low-income high school in the southeastern U.S. (Mage = 16.25; 58.4% female; 45.6% White, 24.3% Black, 25.2% Latino, 4.9% other race). Participants completed the following measures: disordered eating symptoms (Gideon et al., 2016; α = .82), depressive symptoms (Angold et al., 1995; α = .92), self-objectification (Lindner & Tantleff-Dunn, 2017; α = .91), disrupted flow (Brown & Ryan, 2003; α = .91), and an identity questionnaire (see Table 1; Harris et al., 2009).

Given the increasing complexity of adolescents’ sexuality and gender, researchers have begun to use more nuanced methodology (Savin-Williams & Ream, 2007). SGM status was determined by creating a composite variable including individuals who indicated same-gender attraction, sexual behavior, or self-identified as SGM (including those who identified as transgender; Harris et al., 2009). This SGM variable comprised 40.2% (n=53) of girls and 8.9% of boys (n=8; see Table 1).

Differences in outcome variables were examined between SGM and non-SGM participants using an independent samples t test. All outcomes were significantly higher in SGM adolescents (see Table 2). Of particular concern, the mean depressive symptoms of SGMA (M=12.79) surpassed the clinically significant cutoff score (8; Angold et al., 1995), suggesting high levels of depression in this sample. For the final poster presentation, further analyses will be presented, including gender moderation.

Authors

• Chloe P. Bryen, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Emily A. Carrino, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author

• Anne J. Maheux, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author

• J L. Stewart, North Carolina State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Laura Widman, North Carolina State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sophie Choukas-Bradley, University of Pittsburgh
  Non-Presenting Author