Chelsea N Proulx1, Robert W S Coulter2, James E Egan2, Derrick D Matthews3, Christina Mair4. 1. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: cnp10@pitt.edu. 2. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Center for LGBT Health Research, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Homophobic school climates are related to increased victimization for sexual minority youth (SMY), leading to increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Interventions that promote positive school climate may reduce the risk of victimization and adverse mental health outcomes in SMY. This study explored whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ)-inclusive sex education is associated with adverse mental health and school-based victimization in U.S. youth. METHODS: Data analysis of representative data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the 2014 School Health Profiles was conducted using multilevel logistic models testing whether youth in states with higher proportions of schools teaching LGBTQ-inclusive sex education had lower odds of reporting being bullied in school and experiencing adverse mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms and suicidality. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, protective effects for all youth were found for suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: .91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .89-.93) and making a suicide plan (AOR: .79; 95% CI: .77-.80). Lesbian and gay youth had lower odds of experiencing bullying in school as the proportion of schools within a state teaching LGBTQ-inclusive sex education increased (AOR: .83; CI: .71-.97). Bisexual youth had significantly lower odds of reporting depressive symptoms (AOR: .92; 95% CI: .87-.98). CONCLUSIONS: Students in states with a greater proportion of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education have lower odds of experiencing school-based victimization and adverse mental health. These findings can be used to guide intervention development at the school and state levels.
PURPOSE: Homophobic school climates are related to increased victimization for sexual minority youth (SMY), leading to increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Interventions that promote positive school climate may reduce the risk of victimization and adverse mental health outcomes in SMY. This study explored whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ)-inclusive sex education is associated with adverse mental health and school-based victimization in U.S. youth. METHODS: Data analysis of representative data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the 2014 School Health Profiles was conducted using multilevel logistic models testing whether youth in states with higher proportions of schools teaching LGBTQ-inclusive sex education had lower odds of reporting being bullied in school and experiencing adverse mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms and suicidality. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, protective effects for all youth were found for suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: .91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .89-.93) and making a suicide plan (AOR: .79; 95% CI: .77-.80). Lesbian and gay youth had lower odds of experiencing bullying in school as the proportion of schools within a state teaching LGBTQ-inclusive sex education increased (AOR: .83; CI: .71-.97). Bisexual youth had significantly lower odds of reporting depressive symptoms (AOR: .92; 95% CI: .87-.98). CONCLUSIONS: Students in states with a greater proportion of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education have lower odds of experiencing school-based victimization and adverse mental health. These findings can be used to guide intervention development at the school and state levels.
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Laura J Dietz; Mark S Friedman; Ron Stall; Helen A Smith; James McGinley; Brian C Thoma; Pamela J Murray; Anthony R D'Augelli; David A Brent Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2011-05-26 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Michael P Marshal; Sarah S Dermody; Jeewon Cheong; Chad M Burton; Mark S Friedman; Frances Aranda; Tonda L Hughes Journal: J Youth Adolesc Date: 2013-06-20
Authors: Nancy D Brener; Laura Kann; Shari Shanklin; Steve Kinchen; Danice K Eaton; Joseph Hawkins; Katherine H Flint Journal: MMWR Recomm Rep Date: 2013-03-01
Authors: Marisa E Marraccini; Katherine M Ingram; Shereen C Naser; Sally L Grapin; Emily N Toole; J Conor O'Neill; Andrew J Chin; Robert R Martinez; Dana Griffin Journal: J Sch Psychol Date: 2021-12-28
Authors: Robert W S Coulter; Taylor Paglisotti; Gerald Montano; Kaitlin Bodnar; Melina Bersamin; Stephen T Russell; Ashley V Hill; Christina Mair; Elizabeth Miller Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2021-04 Impact factor: 2.118
Authors: Sanjana Pampati; Michelle M Johns; Leigh E Szucs; Meg D Bishop; Allen B Mallory; Lisa C Barrios; Stephen T Russell Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2020-11-05 Impact factor: 7.830
Authors: Carolina da Franca Bandeira Ferreira Santos; Fabiana Godoy; Valdenice Aparecida de Menezes; Viviane Colares; Patrícia Maria Pereira de Araújo Zarzar; Raquel C Ferreira; Ichiro Kawachi Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-06-29 Impact factor: 3.295