Ryan Caitlin, Huebner David, Diaz Rafael M, Sanchez Jorge
Adolescent Health Initiatives, César E. Chávez Institute, College of Ethnic Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA.
Pediatrics. 2009 Jan;123(1):346-52. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-3524.
We examined specific family rejecting reactions to sexual orientation and gender expression during adolescence as predictors of current health problems in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults.
On the basis of previously collected in-depth interviews, we developed quantitative scales to assess retrospectively in young adults the frequency of parental and caregiver reactions to a lesbian, gay, or bisexual sexual orientation during adolescence. Our survey instrument also included measures of 9 negative health indicators, including mental health, substance abuse, and sexual risk. The survey was administered to a sample of 224 white and Latino self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults, aged 21 to 25, recruited through diverse venues and organizations. Participants completed self-report questionnaires by using either computer-assisted or pencil-and-paper surveys.
Higher rates of family rejection were significantly associated with poorer health outcomes. On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection. Latino men reported the highest number of negative family reactions to their sexual orientation in adolescence.
This study establishes a clear link between specific parental and caregiver rejecting behaviors and negative health problems in young lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Providers who serve this population should assess and help educate families about the impact of rejecting behaviors. Counseling families, providing anticipatory guidance, and referring families for counseling and support can help make a critical difference in helping decrease risk and increasing well-being for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.
我们调查了青春期家庭对性取向和性别表达的特定排斥反应，以此作为女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋年轻成年人当前健康问题的预测因素。
基于之前收集的深度访谈，我们开发了定量量表，以回顾性评估年轻成年人在青春期父母及照料者对其女同性恋、男同性恋或双性恋性取向的反应频率。我们的调查问卷还包括9项负面健康指标的测量，包括心理健康、药物滥用和性风险。该调查针对通过不同场所和组织招募的224名年龄在21至25岁之间、自我认同为女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋的白人和拉丁裔年轻成年人样本进行。参与者通过计算机辅助或纸笔调查完成自我报告问卷。
较高的家庭排斥率与较差的健康结果显著相关。根据优势比，报告在青春期遭受较高程度家庭排斥的女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋年轻成年人，与来自报告无或低家庭排斥水平家庭的同龄人相比，企图自杀的可能性高8.4倍，抑郁程度高的可能性高5.9倍，使用非法药物的可能性高3.4倍，报告有过无保护性行为的可能性高3.4倍。拉丁裔男性报告在青春期家庭对其性取向的负面反应最多。
本研究明确了父母及照料者的特定排斥行为与年轻女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋成年人的负面健康问题之间的联系。为这一人群提供服务的提供者应评估并帮助教育家庭了解排斥行为的影响。为家庭提供咨询、提供预期指导以及转介家庭接受咨询和支持，有助于在降低女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋青少年风险及增进其福祉方面发挥关键作用。
