1-163 - An International Examination of Bullying Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender in School: Economics, Consequences, and Solutions

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Across different cultures, research has shown the negative effects of discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) and gender nonconforming youth (Collier et al., 2013). Especially in school, these experiences are common and negatively impact adolescent’s well-being (Birkett et al., 2009). Although the body of research on these topics is growing, many questions about the school context of LGBTQ and gender nonconforming youth remain unanswered.

The purpose of this international and multi-method symposium is to provide new insights into 1) bias-based bullying and mental health, 2) the economic and psychological costs, and 3) ways to improve school climate and protect sexual minority youth.

Using a population-based study, the first paper provides an economic analysis of costs to California school districts related to bias-based bullying and absenteeism. The second paper reveals longitudinal associations between adolescent’s gender nonconformity, peer victimization, and mental health in a Dutch school-based sample. The third paper documents teacher and school characteristics associated with a more positive climate for sexual minority youth from an Italian school-based intervention project. Last, an integrative discussion on the ways school boards, principals, and teachers can improve the school climate to protect sexual minority youth provides us with suggestions for policy changes and research on (preventive) interventions.

Using three large-scale adolescent samples from the U.S., the Netherlands, and Italy, the symposium sheds light on the negative presence of discrimination in schools; the costs for the school system; and ways to improve school climates for LGBTQ and gender nonconforming youth.

Sub Unit

• Sex, Gender

Chair

• Laura Baams, University of Texas at Austin

Discussant

• Ryan Watson, University of Connecticut

Individual Presentations

• An Economic Analysis of Bias-Based Bullying and School Absenteeism - Presenting Author: Laura Baams, University of Texas at Austin; Craig Talmage, Arizona State University; Stephen Russell, University of Texas

• Gender Nonconformity, Peer Victimization, and Mental Health During Adolescence: Testing Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Models - Presenting Author: Gabriël van Beusekom, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Daphne van de Bongardt, Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam; Henny M. W. Bos, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Theo Sandfort, Columbia University, United States of America; Geertjan Overbeek, University of Amsterdam

• Homophobic Victimization in Italian Schools: Factors Contributing to School Climates for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students - Presenting Author: Salvatore Ioverno, University of Texas at Austin; Roberto Baiocco, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome; Stephen Russell, University of Texas; Maria Rosaria Nappa, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome; Nicola Nardelli, Department of Dynamic Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome; Vittorio Lingiardi, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome