Developmental and Adjustment Issues of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents: a Review of the Empirical Literature

Overview

Journal Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

Publisher Springer

Specialties Pediatrics
Psychology

Date 2001 Apr 28

PMID 11324092

Citations 13

Authors

K Anhalt

T L MORRIS

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Various studies have reported adjustment problems experienced by gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) adolescents. A primary purpose of this paper is to critically review this literature. Difficulties that have been studied include past suicide attempts, substance use and abuse, conduct problems, and academic concerns. For example, a considerable number of GLB youth report a history of suicide attempts, with prevalence rates ranging from 11 to 42%. However, among other methodological concerns, studies in this area have not used a comparison sample of heterosexual youths. Characteristics of development particular to GLB adolescents are described, the empirical research on adjustment issues is reviewed, and potential risk and protective factors for GLB youths are discussed.

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