Psychological research reveals a higher prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) persons than among the population as a whole. In the past, researchers focused on how adult experiences contribute to an LGBT person's mental well-being. However, psychologists increasingly attribute LGBT anxiety disorders to the many stressors facing adolescents dealing their sexuality (Panchankis & Bernstein 2012).
Finding one's self-identity is an important part of adolescence, and although "coming out" is associated with the formation of a positive self-identity among sexual minority individuals (Miranda & Storms 1989), LGBT youth may also suffer psychologically if they face rejection from friends and family members, who often discourage unconventional gender behaviors. Researchers hypothesize that LGBT boys face a continual feedback of negative reinforcement. The initial negative responses from friends and family lead to behavioral inhibition, a trait that itself is considered more effeminate (Panchankis & Bernstein 2012). Self-image further decreases and these esteem issues manifest themselves as adult social anxiety.
For some youth, the consequences of "coming out" can be particularly severe and anxiety-inducing. Homeless youth are twice as likely to identify as LGBT than members of the general youth population. These individuals are often thrown out of their home because of their sexual minority status. Homeless LGBT are especially prone to mental health problems. Studies reveal that they are twice as likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual homeless youth (LGBT Homeless 2009).
Reducing harassment is critical for addressing the mounting mental health crisis among LGBT individuals. Mary Henning-Stout, Steve James, and Samantha Macintosh discuss two types of harassment facing LGBT youth. Interpersonal harassment and group harassment involve emotional, verbal, or physical abuse from one or more people with some degree of familiarity with the victim, including family. Sociocultural harassment on the other hand involves the transmission of negative messages through culture and the media. In recent years, activists and policymakers have made strides in reducing these types of harassment. In education, interpersonal and group harassment among youth has been curtailed by organizations such as the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, which aims to promote tolerance in public schools. The New York City Department of Education established the Harvey Milk High School to provide a safe learning environment for LGBT youth, many of whom have been homeless and/or bullied in the past (Colapinto). Although society still has a long way to go, decreased sociocultural harassment has been achieved through the increased legal and scientific protection of LGBT individuals. Many states now allow or recognize same-sex marriages and bar discrimination in the labor market. Moreover, homosexuality and gender identity disorders have been removed from the most recent editions Diagnostic Statistical Manual of psychological disorders (Cameron 2012), hopefully allowing more suffering LGBT individuals to feel secure in getting the help and counseling that they need.
Works Cited
Cameron, Eric. "APA to Remove “Gender Identity Disorder” from DSM-5." HRC Blog. Human Rights Campaign, 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 1 July 2014.
Colapinto, John. "The Controversy Over the Harvey Milk School." New York Magazine: n. pag. Web. 1 July 2014.
Henning-Stout, M., S. James, and S. Machintosh. "Reducing Harassment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth." School Psychology Review 29.2 (2000): n. pag. Print.
"LGBT Homeless." National Coalition for the Homeless. National Coalition for the Homeless, June 2009. Web. 1 July 2014.
Miranda, J., and M. Storms. "Psychological adjustment of lesbians and gay men." Journal of Counseling and Development 68.41 (1989): n. pag. Wiley Online Library. Web. 30 June 2014.
Pachankis, John E., and Laura B. Bernstein. "An Etiological Model of Anxiety in Young Gay Men: From Early Stress to Public Self-Consciousness." Psychology of Men and Masculinity 13.2 (2012): 107-22. EBSCOHost. Web. 30 June 2014.
Finding one's self-identity is an important part of adolescence, and although "coming out" is associated with the formation of a positive self-identity among sexual minority individuals (Miranda & Storms 1989), LGBT youth may also suffer psychologically if they face rejection from friends and family members, who often discourage unconventional gender behaviors. Researchers hypothesize that LGBT boys face a continual feedback of negative reinforcement. The initial negative responses from friends and family lead to behavioral inhibition, a trait that itself is considered more effeminate (Panchankis & Bernstein 2012). Self-image further decreases and these esteem issues manifest themselves as adult social anxiety.
For some youth, the consequences of "coming out" can be particularly severe and anxiety-inducing. Homeless youth are twice as likely to identify as LGBT than members of the general youth population. These individuals are often thrown out of their home because of their sexual minority status. Homeless LGBT are especially prone to mental health problems. Studies reveal that they are twice as likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual homeless youth (LGBT Homeless 2009).
Reducing harassment is critical for addressing the mounting mental health crisis among LGBT individuals. Mary Henning-Stout, Steve James, and Samantha Macintosh discuss two types of harassment facing LGBT youth. Interpersonal harassment and group harassment involve emotional, verbal, or physical abuse from one or more people with some degree of familiarity with the victim, including family. Sociocultural harassment on the other hand involves the transmission of negative messages through culture and the media. In recent years, activists and policymakers have made strides in reducing these types of harassment. In education, interpersonal and group harassment among youth has been curtailed by organizations such as the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, which aims to promote tolerance in public schools. The New York City Department of Education established the Harvey Milk High School to provide a safe learning environment for LGBT youth, many of whom have been homeless and/or bullied in the past (Colapinto). Although society still has a long way to go, decreased sociocultural harassment has been achieved through the increased legal and scientific protection of LGBT individuals. Many states now allow or recognize same-sex marriages and bar discrimination in the labor market. Moreover, homosexuality and gender identity disorders have been removed from the most recent editions Diagnostic Statistical Manual of psychological disorders (Cameron 2012), hopefully allowing more suffering LGBT individuals to feel secure in getting the help and counseling that they need.
Works Cited
Cameron, Eric. "APA to Remove “Gender Identity Disorder” from DSM-5." HRC Blog. Human Rights Campaign, 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 1 July 2014.
Colapinto, John. "The Controversy Over the Harvey Milk School." New York Magazine: n. pag. Web. 1 July 2014.
Henning-Stout, M., S. James, and S. Machintosh. "Reducing Harassment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth." School Psychology Review 29.2 (2000): n. pag. Print.
"LGBT Homeless." National Coalition for the Homeless. National Coalition for the Homeless, June 2009. Web. 1 July 2014.
Miranda, J., and M. Storms. "Psychological adjustment of lesbians and gay men." Journal of Counseling and Development 68.41 (1989): n. pag. Wiley Online Library. Web. 30 June 2014.
Pachankis, John E., and Laura B. Bernstein. "An Etiological Model of Anxiety in Young Gay Men: From Early Stress to Public Self-Consciousness." Psychology of Men and Masculinity 13.2 (2012): 107-22. EBSCOHost. Web. 30 June 2014.