Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Gender Studies and Sexuality, 2024
Year: 2024
DOI:
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A Longitudinal Examination of Associations Between Bias-Based Harassment and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority Youth
Nicolina V. Fusco, Melissa Holt, PhD, and Gabriel J. Merrin, PhD
ABSTRACT:
Bias-based harassment (BBH) includes being targeted by, or perpetrating, harassment based on identity characteristics. Overall, sexual minority youth (SMY) are at increased risk for mental health concerns and substance use compared to their heterosexual peers (Bouris et al., 2016; O’Malley et al., 2022; Scheer et al., 2021), and such risks can be heightened for SMY involved in BBH. This study adds to current research on BBH among SMY through: (1) assessing rates of multiple forms of BBH victimization and perpetration (i.e. gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity); (2) examining associations between BBH and substance use for victims, perpetrators, and SMY who were both victimized by and perpetrated BBH (victim/perpetrators). Adolescents (n = 632 at Wave 1) whose households were part of the NORC AmeriSpeak Panel completed 3 surveys across 18 months. Wave 1 cross-sectional findings indicate that SMY were more likely to be targeted by BBH, and more likely to be classified as victims and as victims/perpetrators, than their straight peers. Further, victims and victim/perpetrators reported more substance use than their uninvolved peers, with perpetrators reporting the highest levels of substance use. Subsequent analyses will use all three waves of data to assess trajectories of BBH and substance use among SMY, and their reciprocal associations over time. Study findings will inform school-based prevention programs aimed to reduce bias-based harassment, particularly around the importance of addressing the unique experiences of sexual minority youth involved in bias-based harassment.
keywords: Bias-Based Harassment, Sexual Minority Youth, Perpetration, Victimization, Substance Use