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Description
Throughout history, sexual and gender minorities have faced a range of emotional and psychological challenges shaped by their unique experiences and interactions with society, family, and peers. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), homosexuality was classified as a sociopathic personality disturbance in the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-I) in 1952, and it remained listed as a mental disorder until it was removed in 1973. Individuals that identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other identities within the LGBTQIA+ community were historically seen as abnormal and were often subjected to ethically problematic treatments. Over the past seventy years, societal views towards the LGBTQIA+ community shifted towards acceptance and understanding. However, negative perceptions and discrimination persist, as certain families and cultures may reject individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Despite increasing societal awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, many youth in this community continue to face rejection and lack of societal and parental support. In the U.S., 49% of LGBTQIA+ youth have experienced bullying, and those who were bullied reported increasingly higher rates of attempted suicide in the past year compared to those who were not a part of that community (The Trevor Project, 2024). The decrease of support is associated with adverse mental health outcomes. However, there is limited research on LGBTQIA+ communities and addressing this gap is essential for developing interventions and providing supportive environments that promote psychological well-being in this population.
Department
Nursing
Faculty Mentor(s)
Kendra Hoepper, DNP, APRN, PNP-C
Publication Date
2025
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Dominican University of CA
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
Keywords: (lgbtq or lesbian or gay or homosexual or bisexual or transgender or homosexual or queer or sexual minority) AND (parental support or parent engagement) AND (social support or social relationships) AND (mental health or mental illness) AND (youth or adolescents)
Disciplines
Child Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Nursing | Psychology | Social Justice
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Nursing Commons, Social Justice Commons