School Belonging, School Victimization, and the Mental Health of LGBT Young Adults: Implications for School Psychologists

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

10 p.

Publication Date

Spring 2014

Publisher

National Association of School Psychologists

Source Publication

School Psychology Forum

Source ISSN

1938-2243

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of school victimization in the relationship between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young adults' feelings of high school belonging and current mental health (both depression and general psychological distress) outcomes. A total of 145 LGBT young adults were recruited from college LGBT student organizations to complete an online survey that assessed high school experiences and mental health outcomes. Bootstrapping analyses were used to test for mediation. Results indicate that school victimization mediates the relationship between high school belonging and depressive symptoms and feelings of general psychological distress in young adulthood. The results suggest that school victimization is a factor that could explain why LGBT youth report lower levels of school belonging and higher levels of depression and psychological distress, relative to heterosexual youth. Implications as they relate to school psychologists are discussed and recommendations for improving the school climate for LGBT youth are provided.

Comments

School Psychology Forum, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Spring 2014): 28-37. Permalink.

Nicholas Heck was affiliated with the University of Montana at the time of publication.

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