Gender nonconformity (GNC) is associated with higher levels of peer victimization and negative expectations, as well as lower internalized homonegativity among sexual minority adolescents (SMAs).
This is according to a study – “Gender Nonconformity, Minority Stress, and Psychological Distress Among Sexual Minority Adolescents” by Brian C. Thoma, Candice L. Biernesser, and Emma Win – that was published in LGBT Health.
The researchers noted that – as it is – SMAs have disproportionate experiences of mental health symptoms during adolescence, and minority stress contributes to mental health inequities among SMAs. GNC could place SMAs at higher risk for minority stress and subsequent mental health symptoms.
They, therefore, wanted to examine associations between GNC, minority stress, and psychological distress among SMAs.
In this research, SMAs ages 12–17 years (n = 455; mean age = 15.52 years) in the US completed a cross-sectional online survey from February to July 2022, including measures of GNC, peer victimization, family rejection, negative expectations, negative disclosure experiences, internalized homonegativity, and psychological distress. Path analysis was conducted to examine associations between GNC, minority stressors, and psychological distress, including indirect effects of GNC on psychological distress via minority stress.
The key findings included:
- GNC was associated with higher levels of peer victimization and negative expectations, and lower internalized homonegativity among SMAs.
- Higher levels of peer victimization and negative expectations were associated with higher psychological distress.
- GNC was indirectly related to higher levels of psychological distress via higher peer victimization.
The study, stressed the researchers, was able to establish the associations between GNC and multiple minority stress experiences among SMAs, finding that “GNC was indirectly related to psychological distress among SMAs via peer victimization.”
The researchers recognized that all SMAs would benefit from interventions designed to reduce peer victimization and increase their capacity to cope with minority stress. These interventions may be particularly beneficial for SMAs who are gender nonconforming.
