This decision process requires considerable mental energy and vigilance, which may be burdensome for LGBQ youth ( Herek & Garnets, 2007). Hiding one’s identity versus coming out entails an ongoing process of assessing individuals and environments for safety, considering the positive and negative consequences of coming out or remaining in the closet, and determining how out to be and with whom. In the face of hostile environments, many youth decide to conceal their LGBQ identity to prevent experiences of violence and rejection ( Herek & Garnets, 2007). Unfortunately, many LGBQ youth experience hostility and rejection from the most important people in their lives-their parents, friends, and peers. A national study found that about 40% of LGBQ people reported that a friend or family member rejected them because of their sexual orientation ( Pew Research Center, 2013a). In addition to aggression, many LGBQ people also experience rejection from loved ones after coming out. In a recent national study, 74% of LGBQ youth reported experiencing verbal harassment at school in the past year, and 17% were physically assaulted (e.g., punched, kicked, or injured with a weapon Kosciw, Greytak, Palmer, & Boesen, 2014). Prejudice events can be experienced via multiple ecological systems. These LGBQ-specific stressors can be categorized into four domains: prejudice events (e.g., harassment, violence, discrimination, rejection), expectations of prejudice events, concealment of identity, and the internalization of negative societal attitudes and beliefs (e.g., internalized homophobia). According to the theory, LGBQ individuals can experience not only an array of typical life stressors (e.g., illness, injury, death of a loved one, and job loss), but also stressors specific to their minority sexual orientation identity ( Meyer, 2003, 2007). The minority stress theory ( Meyer, 2003, 2007) is the leading theory in the literature used to understand mental health problems among LGBQ people. Minority stress theory and LGBQ mental health This study aimed to review and evaluate the empirical literature regarding psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression among LGBQ youth. In order to prevent and intervene in mental health problems among LGBQ youth, we must first identify key factors in risk and resilience pathways.
38%) and about five times more likely to have attempted suicide (6% vs. 43%) and to have made a plan to commit suicide (12% vs. Further, compared to their heterosexual peers, LGBQ youth were about three times more likely to have thought about suicide (15% vs. Recent findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrate that 60% of LGBQ youth felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least 2 weeks in the past year, compared to 26% of heterosexual youth ( Kann et al., 2016). The transition from childhood to adulthood is often difficult however, this period is particularly challenging for many youth who are LGBQ because of the array of risks that can compromise their mental health. Nationally representative data on youth showed that 6% to 7% of males and 13% to 15% of females self-identified as non-heterosexual (e.g., homosexual or bisexual McCabe, Brewster, & Tillman, 2011 Savin-Williams & Ream, 2007). Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) represent a substantial and vulnerable minority group in the United States.
LGBQ youth may face an array of threats to their mental health originating from multiple socioecological levels. Prominent protective factors include a positive LGBQ identity, self-esteem, social support from friends, and family support. Results show that prominent risk factors for depression include internalized LGBQ-related oppression, stress from hiding and managing a socially stigmatized identity, maladaptive coping, parental rejection, abuse and other traumatic events, negative interpersonal interactions, negative religious experiences, school bullying victimization, and violence victimization in community settings. Eight bibliographic databases were searched, and 35 studies that met all inclusion criteria were included for review. The aim of this review is to evaluate the methodological characteristics and summarize the substantive findings of studies examining psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression among LGBQ youth. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors for depression can inform the development of psychosocial interventions. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) youth suffer from depression.
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