Sexual Identity and Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents in Rural Appalachia

Previous research suggests that rural youth and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) have higher risk of multiple psychological and behavioral risk factors compared with their heterosexual counterparts. This study compared risk for bullying victimization, suicide risk, school...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rural mental health 2017-01, Vol.41 (1), p.17-29
Main Authors: Ballard, Mary E., Jameson, John Paul, Martz, Denise M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent Characteristics
Bisexuality
Bullying
Female
Gender Identity
Human
Lesbianism
LGBTQ
Male
Male Homosexuality
Risk Factors
Rural Environments
Sexual Orientation
Suicide
Victimization
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Summary:Previous research suggests that rural youth and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) have higher risk of multiple psychological and behavioral risk factors compared with their heterosexual counterparts. This study compared risk for bullying victimization, suicide risk, school violence, drug use, and sexual risk behavior between rural LGBQ youth and heterosexual youth. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was administered by the local health department in 2 high schools in rural Appalachia. Findings indicate that rural LGBQ youth are at much higher risk than rural heterosexual youth for suicide risk, bullying victimization, school violence, drug use, and sexual risk behavior. Risk was particularly high for LGBQ youth in regard to bullying victimization and for suicide risks. Further, bullying victimization resulting from the perception of LGBQ status partially mediated drug use, but not suicide risk or school violence. Our results have particular implications for possible interventions targeting LGBQ youth by high school system personnel in rural Appalachia.
ISSN:1935-942X
2163-8969
DOI:10.1037/rmh0000068