Trend Disparities in Emotional Distress and Suicidality Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Minnesota Adolescents From 1998 to 2010
Abstract Background: Sexual minority young people have demonstrated higher rates of emotional distress and suicidality in comparison to heterosexual peers. Research to date has not examined trends in these disparities, specifically, whether there have been disparity reductions or increases and how outcomes have differed over time by sex and sexual orientation group. Methods: Minnesota Student […]
Why girls choose not to use barriers to prevent STI transmission during female-to-female sex
Abstract Purpose: Using data from a national qualitative study of lesbian, bisexual, and other sexual minority adolescent girls in the U.S., this study examined their awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and opportunities for barrier use. Methods: Online asynchronous focus groups were conducted with lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls ages 14–18 years. Girls were […]
Being Safe, Being Me in British Columbia: Results of the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey
The Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey was a national online survey conducted by researchers from several Canadian universities and community organizations. The survey included somewhat different questions for younger (14-18 years) and older (19-25 years) trans youth about a wide range of life experiences and behaviours that influence young people’s health. This report is focused […]
Love and Dating Patterns for Same‐ and Both‐Gender Attracted Adolescents Across Europe
Abstract Sexual orientation is a multidimensional phenomenon, which includes identity, behavior, and attraction. The attraction component, however, is less studied than the other two. In this article, we present the development of a two‐item measure to identify adolescents who prefer same‐ and both‐gender partners for love and dating. The questions were administered to nationally representative […]
Unhealthy weight control behaviors among youth: Sex of sexual partner is linked to important differences
Abstract Unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) have been decreasing for most youth over time, yet little is known whether these behaviors have changed for sexual minority (e.g., non-heterosexual) youth. This is important because many studies have found that sexual minorities report some of the highest rates of UWCBs. To determine whether or not these behaviors […]
Being Safe, Being Me in the Atlantic Provinces: Results of the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey
The Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey was a national online survey conducted by researchers from several Canadian universities and community organizations. This report specifically examines trans youth located in the Atlantic Provinces. The survey included 122 participants from the Atlantic Provinces and used somewhat different questions for younger (14-18 years) and older (19-25 years) trans […]
Sexual minority youth continue to smoke cigarettes earlier and more often than heterosexuals: Findings from population-based data
Abstract Background: An established body of research documents that sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) populations are at higher risk for several adverse health behaviors and outcomes compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Smoking is one behavior where the gap is especially large, particularly among youth. Researchers have increasingly drawn attention to contextual determinants of […]
Evidence of changing patterns in mental health and depressive symptoms for sexual minority adolescents
Abstract Depression, sadness, low self-esteem, and self-harm affect a substantial number of young people in North America. However, the prevalence of these symptoms has been found to be consistently higher for sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual) populations. In this study, we traced the trends and disparities in mental health, including self-harm, forgone mental health […]
Is Out In Schools Linked To Less Bullying In Schools?
The Out In Schools program uses films to explore gender, sexuality, and the lived experiences of LGBT2Q+ people.
Are we leveling the playing field? Trends and disparities in sports participation among sexual minority youth in Canada
Abstract Purpose: Sports participation and physical fitness are widely beneficial for young people, yet activity levels among young people are declining. Despite growing popular media attention on the participation of sexual minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) youth in sports and various campaigns to improve the often homophobic climate of sports, there is limited evidence that […]
