The effects of cumulative victimization on mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents and young adults

B. Mustanski, R. Andrews and J.A. Puckett

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 3, 527-533

Abstract: Objectives. To examine the effects of the cumulative victimization experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths on mental disorders. Methods. We recruited 248 participants from the Chicago, Illinois, area in 7 waves of data collected over 4 years, beginning in 2007 (83.1% retention rate). Mean age at enrollment was 18.7 years, and 54.7% were Black. We measured depression and posttraumatic stress disorder using structured psychiatric interviews. Results. Latent class analyses of victimization over time identified a 4-class solution. Class 1 (65.4%) had low, decreasing victimization. Class 2 (10.3%) had moderate, increasing victimization. Class 3 (5.1%) had high, steady victimization. Class 4 (19.2%) had high, decreasing victimization. Controlling for baseline diagnoses and birth sex, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths in classes 2 and 3 were at higher risk for depression than were those in class 1; youths in classes 2, 3, and 4 were at elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Conclusions. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths with steadily high or increasing levels of victimization from adolescence to early adulthood are at higher risk for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Keywords: adolescent; bisexuality; crime victim; depression; female; human; Illinois; lesbianism; male; male homosexuality; Mental Disorders; psychology; psychometry; sexuality; socioeconomics; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; transgender; young adult, Adolescent; Bisexuality; Chicago; Crime Victims; Depression; Female; Homosexuality, Female; Homosexuality, Male; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Psychometrics; Sexuality; Socioeconomic Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Transgender Persons; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2015.302976_6

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302976

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