Work

Sexual minority youth in romantic relationships: Associations with youth well‐being

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated differences in depressive symptoms, loneliness, and self‐esteem for monosexual (lesbian, gay) and plurisexual (bisexual, pansexual, queer) sexual minority youth (SMY) by relationship status (single, partnered) and relationship configuration (same‐gender partner, different‐gender partner). Participants included 338 SMY (Mage = 19.10 years) who reported on their relationship status, partner's gender identity, well‐being, and ability to confide in partner about LGBTQ issues. Results indicated that for plurisexual youth, single status was associated with greater loneliness; plurisexual youth with same‐gender partners reported fewer depressive symptoms and marginally greater ability to confide in their partner about LGBTQ issues than those with different‐gender partners. Findings reveal similarities across SMY while also highlighting some unique challenges among plurisexual youth with different‐gender partners.

Source: Journal of Research on Adolescence

DOI: 10.1111/jora.12883

Authors: Amy L. McCurdy, Benton M. Renley, Justin A. Lavner, Gaëlle Meslay, Ryan J. Watson, Stephen T. Russell

Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, University of Connecticut, University of Georgia, Institut national d'études démographiques

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions