Questioning and sexual minority adolescents: high school experiences of bullying, sexual harassment and physical abuse

Can J Commun Ment Health. 2003 Fall;22(2):47-58. doi: 10.7870/cjcmh-2003-0013.

Abstract

Using a subset of youth from a sample of 3,636 Canadian adolescents, the present study examined sexual orientation and victimization experiences in high school. A total of 130 adolescents indicated they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning their sexual orientation. Significantly more adolescents identified as bisexual (N = 50) or questioning (N = 68) than as gay or lesbian (N = 12). Sexual-minority and questioning youth were more likely than heterosexual youth to be victims of bullying, peer sexual harassment, and peer or dating-partner physical abuse. Implications of victimization on questioning and sexual-minority adolescents' mental health are discussed.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Canada
  • Courtship
  • Female
  • Homosexuality / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Sexual Harassment*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Violence*