Minority stress, perceived burdensomeness, and depressive symptoms among sexual minority youth

AbstractBackgroundSexual minority youth have elevated suicidal ideation and self-harm compared with heterosexual young people; however, evidence for mediating mechanisms is predominantly cross-sectional. Using a longitudinal design, we investigated self-esteem and depressive symptoms as mediators of increased rates of suicidal ideation or self-harm (SISH) among sexual minority youth, and the roles of childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) and sex as moderators of these relationships.MethodIn total, 4274 youth from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort reported sexual orientation at age 15 years, and past-year SISH at age 20 years. Self-esteem and depressive symptoms were assessed at ages 17 and 18 years, respectively. CGN was measured at 30–57 months. Covariates included sociodemographic variables and earlier measures of mediator and outcome variables. Mediation pathways were assessed using structural equation modelling.ResultsSexual minority youth (almost 12% of the sample) were three times more likely than heterosexual youth to report past-year SISH (95% confidence interval 2.43–3.64) at 20 years. Two mediation pathways were identified: a single mediator pathway involving self-esteem and a multiple-mediated pathway involving self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Although CGN was associated with past-year SISH, it did not moderate any mediation pathways and there was no evidence for moderation by sex.ConclusionsLower self-esteem and increased depressive symptoms partly explain the increased risk for later suicidal ideation and self-harm in sexual minority youth. Preventive strategies could include self-esteem-enhancing or protecting interventions, especially in female sexual minority youth, and treatment of depression.

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Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth

Journal of Youth and Adolescence ◽

10.1007/s10964-013-9970-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

pp. 1243-1256 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Michael P. Marshal ◽

Sarah S. Dermody ◽

JeeWon Cheong ◽

Chad M. Burton ◽

Mark S. Friedman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Sexual Minority Youth

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Building Resilience in Gender and Sexual Minority Youth

Creative Nursing ◽

10.1891/crnr-d-19-00047 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 109-113

Author(s):

Diane Verrochi

Keyword(s):

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Sexual Minority Youth ◽

Stress Model ◽

Age Group ◽

Lgbtq Youth ◽

Support Strategies ◽

The Many ◽

Minority Stress Model

LGBTQ youth are at particularly high risk for various health disparities, many of which are often explained using Meyer's Minority Stress Model (2003). Seminars using peer support strategies are helpful in supporting this age group. This article describes a workshop offered at a conference for LGBTQ youth to empower them to build resilience to the many stresses they will experience as they grow into tomorrow's leaders.

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Sexual minority youth and depressive symptoms or depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0004867417713664 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

pp. 774-787 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Mathijs FG Lucassen ◽

Karolina Stasiak ◽

Rajvinder Samra ◽

Christopher MA Frampton ◽

Sally N Merry

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Young People ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Population Based ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Sexual Minority Youth ◽

Standardized Mean Difference

Objective: Research has suggested that sexual minority young people are more likely to have depressive symptoms or depressive disorder, but to date most studies in the field have relied on convenience-based samples. This study overcomes this limitation by systematically reviewing the literature from population-based studies and conducting a meta-analysis to identify whether depressive disorder and depressive symptoms are elevated in sexual minority youth. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted and informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement to determine if rates of depressive symptoms or depressive disorder differ for sexual minority youth, relative to heterosexual adolescents. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and ERIC databases were searched. Studies reporting depressive symptom data or the prevalence of depressive disorder in population-based samples of adolescents, which included sexual minority youth and heterosexual young people, were included in the review. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine differences between groups. Results: Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria. The proportion of sexual minority youth in the studies ranged from 2.3% to 12%. Sexual minority youth reported higher rates of depressive symptoms and depressive disorder (odds ratio = 2.94, p < 0.001 and standardized mean difference, d = 0.39, p < 0.001) in comparison to heterosexual young people. Female sexual minority youth were more likely to report depressive symptoms when compared to male sexual minority youth (standardized mean difference, d = 0.34, p < 0.001). Limitations included variations in how sexuality was operationalized and how depressive symptoms or depressive disorder was measured. Conclusions: There is robust evidence that rates of depressive disorder and depressive symptoms are elevated in sexual minority youth in comparison to heterosexual young people. Despite the elevated risk of depressive symptoms or depressive disorder for sexual minority youth, the treatment for this group of young people has received little attention.

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