Indicators of victimization and sexual orientation among adolescents: analyses from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.

OBJECTIVES

We used nuanced measures of sexual minority status to examine disparities in victimization and their variations by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.

METHODS

We conducted multivariate analyses of pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.

RESULTS

Although all sexual minorities reported more fighting, skipping school because they felt unsafe, and having property stolen or damaged at school than did heterosexuals, rates were highest among youths who identified as bisexual or who reported both male and female sexual partners. Gender differences among sexual minorities appeared to be concentrated among bisexuals and respondents who reported sexual partners of both genders. Sexual minority youths reported more fighting than heterosexual youths, especially at younger ages, and more nonphysical school victimization that persisted through adolescence. White and Hispanic sexual minority youths reported more indicators of victimization than did heterosexuals; we found few sexual minority differences among African American and Asian American youths.

CONCLUSIONS

Victimization carries health consequences, and sexual minorities are at increased risk. Surveys should include measures that allow tracking of disparities in victimization by sexual minority status.