Shelley L Craig1, Ashley Austin2, Jill Levenson3, Vivian W Y Leung4, Andrew D Eaton5, Sandra A D'Souza6. 1. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada. Electronic address: shelley.craig@utoronto.ca. 2. Ellen Whiteside McDonnell Faculty of Social Work, Barry University, 11300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL, 33161-6695, USA. Electronic address: aaustin@barry.edu. 3. Ellen Whiteside McDonnell Faculty of Social Work, Barry University, 11300 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL, 33161-6695, USA. Electronic address: jlevenson@barry.edu. 4. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada. Electronic address: wingyeung.leung@utoronto.ca. 5. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada. Electronic address: andrew.eaton@utoronto.ca. 6. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada. Electronic address: sandraa.dsouza@mail.utoronto.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trauma, specifically adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), predicts significant health and mental health disparities, yet there is a paucity of research with LGBTQ + youth. OBJECTIVE: This study explored ACE prevalence in a large sample of LGBTQ+ youth; examined ACE patterns within and across subgroups; and compared results with the general population. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participant (n = 3,508) ages ranged between 14-18 (x̄ = 16.02) and represented a range of sexual orientations: pansexual (33.9 %), bisexual (26.6 %), and queer (16.2 %), and gender identities: female (39.9 %), non-conforming (38 %), male (14.9 %), and transgender (16.6 %). METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-18 that self-identified as LGBTQ+ and resided in the US or Canada. Descriptive statistics generated the prevalence of ACEs, and ANOVAs and post-hoc tests were run for comparisons. RESULTS: Participants reported multiple ACEs (M = 3.14, SD = 2.44) with emotional neglect (58 %), emotional abuse (56 %), and living with a family member with mental illness (51 %) as the most prevalent. Notably, 43 % of participants experienced 4+ ACEs, considered to be a high level of trauma exposure. Compared to national samples, LGBTQ + youth demonstrated unique patterns of ACEs and were higher in 9 of 10 categories. Significantly high (all p < .001) ACEs were found in pansexual (t = 7.67), transgender and gender non-conforming (t = 5.19), American-Indian (t = 6.42), Latinx (t = 2.83) and rural youth (F = 12.12) while those with highly educated parents (F = 83.30, p < .001), lived with a parent (t = 6.02), and in Canada (t = 6.14) reported fewer ACEs. CONCLUSION: LGBTQ+ youth experience significant childhood trauma with potential impact on their mental health. This study identifies implications for trauma-informed practice and research.
BACKGROUND:Trauma, specifically adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), predicts significant health and mental health disparities, yet there is a paucity of research with LGBTQ + youth. OBJECTIVE: This study explored ACE prevalence in a large sample of LGBTQ+ youth; examined ACE patterns within and across subgroups; and compared results with the general population. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:Participant (n = 3,508) ages ranged between 14-18 (x̄ = 16.02) and represented a range of sexual orientations: pansexual (33.9 %), bisexual (26.6 %), and queer (16.2 %), and gender identities: female (39.9 %), non-conforming (38 %), male (14.9 %), and transgender (16.6 %). METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-18 that self-identified as LGBTQ+ and resided in the US or Canada. Descriptive statistics generated the prevalence of ACEs, and ANOVAs and post-hoc tests were run for comparisons. RESULTS:Participants reported multiple ACEs (M = 3.14, SD = 2.44) with emotional neglect (58 %), emotional abuse (56 %), and living with a family member with mental illness (51 %) as the most prevalent. Notably, 43 % of participants experienced 4+ ACEs, considered to be a high level of trauma exposure. Compared to national samples, LGBTQ + youth demonstrated unique patterns of ACEs and were higher in 9 of 10 categories. Significantly high (all p < .001) ACEs were found in pansexual (t = 7.67), transgender and gender non-conforming (t = 5.19), American-Indian (t = 6.42), Latinx (t = 2.83) and rural youth (F = 12.12) while those with highly educated parents (F = 83.30, p < .001), lived with a parent (t = 6.02), and in Canada (t = 6.14) reported fewer ACEs. CONCLUSION: LGBTQ+ youth experience significant childhood trauma with potential impact on their mental health. This study identifies implications for trauma-informed practice and research.
Authors: Angelique F Ralph; Leah Brennan; Sue Byrne; Belinda Caldwell; Jo Farmer; Laura M Hart; Gabriella A Heruc; Sarah Maguire; Milan K Piya; Julia Quin; Sarah K Trobe; Andrew Wallis; A J Williams-Tchen; Phillipa Hay Journal: J Eat Disord Date: 2022-08-18
Authors: Shelley L Craig; Andrew D Eaton; Vivian W Y Leung; Gio Iacono; Nelson Pang; Frank Dillon; Ashley Austin; Rachael Pascoe; Cheryl Dobinson Journal: BMC Psychol Date: 2021-06-07