Depression, anxiety, and interest in mental health resources in Gender-Sexuality Alliances

• In Event: Life in the Margins: Marginalization and Mental Health among LGBTQ Youth

Abstract

Introduction
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety at greater rates than cisgender heterosexual youth (Russell & Fish, 2016), often as a consequence of discrimination (Meyer, 2003; Kosciw et al., 2018). Thus, school-based interventions to support SGM youth may prove invaluable (Russell et al., 2010). In this study, we focus on school-based Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), which provide SGM youth and their allies with social-emotional support, resources, and opportunities for advocacy (Griffin et al., 2004).

Data on mental health concerns among GSA members are limited. Thus, we assessed the prevalence of depression and anxiety within sampled GSAs. We further considered whether risk levels varied based on specific sexual orientations and gender identities—moving away from treating SGM youth as a monolithic group. Additionally, we assessed the frequency of mental health discussion in GSAs, and youth and advisor interest in mental health resources.

Methods
Participants were 580 youth (Mage=15.59 years, SD=1.39 years) within 38 GSAs (M=15 students, SD=6.62) across Massachusetts and 58 advisors (Mage=43.58 years, SD=10.50 years) across two years. Of these participants, 150 youth and 27 advisors in 19 GSAs received items assessing interest in mental health resources.

Youth completed the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (α=.85; Radloff, 1991) and 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory (α=.95; Beck & Steer, 1993). Higher total scale scores indicated higher probability of clinically significant depression or anxiety, respectively. Advisors reported the frequency of discussion of mental health topics (depression, anxiety, mental health overall, and coping strategies) over the school year. Finally, we asked a subsample of youth and advisors about their level of interest in mental health resources. Higher average scale scores indicated greater interest. We used multilevel logistic regression to analyze the data.

Results
Among all GSA members, 70.1% exceeded cutoffs for high probability of depression, while 34.4% exceeded cutoffs for concerning levels of anxiety.

Gay/lesbian, bisexual, questioning, pansexual, and asexual youth were more likely than heterosexual youth to exceed cutoffs for high probability of depression (Table 1, Model 1). Transgender, genderqueer, non-binary youth, and youth reporting other gender minority identities were more likely than cisgender male youth to exceed cutoffs for high probability of depression (Table 1, Model 2).

Gay/lesbian, bisexual, questioning, pansexual, queer youth, and youth reporting other sexual minority identities were more likely than heterosexual youth to exceed cutoffs for concerning levels of anxiety (Table 2, Model 1). Transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary youth were more likely than cisgender male youth to exceed cutoffs for concerning levels of anxiety (Table 2, Model 2).

Advisors reported discussing mental health topics with some frequency over the school year. About half of GSAs discussed each topic at least three times during year.

Youth reported strong interest in mental health resources (M = 6.97, SD = 2.63; range = 1.00 to 10.00), as did advisors (M = 8.30, SD = 2.30; range = 3.00 to 10.00). Overall interest was high and did not vary significantly across GSAs.

These findings indicate the need and opportunity for GSA-based interventions.

Authors

• Emily Finch, University of Denver
  Presenting Author

• Paul Poteat, Boston College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sarah Rosenbach, New York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Michael O'Brien, Boston College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Hirokazu Yoshikawa, New York University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jerel P Calzo, San Diego State University
  Non-Presenting Author