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Cited by 238LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentRacial and Ethnic Identity Research

Psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer youth: A systematic review

Open access
Hall, William J.·2018·Journal of Homosexuality
DOI 10.1080/00918369.2017.1317467PMC PMC5634914
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Abstract

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) youth suffer from depression. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors for depression can inform the development of psychosocial interventions. The aim of this review is to evaluate the methodological characteristics and summarize the substantive findings of studies examining psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression among LGBQ youth. Eight bibliographic databases were searched, and 35 studies that met all inclusion criteria were included for review. Results show that prominent risk factors for depression include internalized LGBQ-related oppression, stress from hiding and managing a socially stigmatized identity, maladaptive coping, parental rejection, abuse and other traumatic events, negative interpersonal interactions, negative religious experiences, school bullying victimization, and violence victimization in community settings. Prominent protective factors include a positive LGBQ identity, self-esteem, social support from friends, and family support. LGBQ youth may face an array of threats to their mental health originating from multiple socioecological levels.

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  • Research shows that internalized oppression significantly contributes to depression in LGBTQ people.

    “BOWS primarily focuses on internalized oppression as the intervention target, which research shows significantly contributes to depression in LGBTQ people [25,27,41,42].”

    From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [41]

    The Results section reports that internalized LGBQ-related oppression was a risk factor for depression in LGBQ youth, with 13 of 19 associations showing risk. The claim extends that finding to LGBTQ people generally, including people outside the review’s youth population, and says oppression “contributes” to depression more causally than these associations establish. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • A significant body of evidence has linked LGBTQ-specific internalized oppression and the outcome of depression, making it an appropriate target for intervention.

    “A significant body of evidence has linked LGBTQ-specific internalized oppression and the outcome of depression [25,27,41,42], making it an appropriate target for intervention.”

    From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [41]

    The Results (‘Relationships between psychosocial factors and depression’) report that internalized LGBQ-related oppression was a prominent risk factor for depression among LGBQ youth, with 13 of 19 associations showing risk. The Discussion (‘LGBQ identity factors’) suggests it may respond to cognitive behavioral therapy. The source does not establish the claim for transgender people or for LGBTQ people of all ages. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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5 of the 157 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 13

  1. Benhorin S 2008 A qualitative examination of the ecological systems that promote sexual identity comfort among European American and African American lesbian youths Unpublished doctoral dissertation DePaul University Chicago, IL
  2. Bradshaw CP Wassdorp TE O’Brennan LM Gulemetova M 2011 Findings from the National Education Association’s nationwide study of bullying: Teachers’ and education support professionals’ perspectives Washington, DC National Education Association PMC4235229 25414539
  3. Dahl AL 2009 The religious experience of sexual minority youth: Identity, integration, and minority stress Unpublished doctoral dissertation Utah State University Logan, UT
  4. Fischer SN 2011 School-based supports for LGBT and other minority youth: Understanding the roles of teachers, staff, gay-straight alliances, and anti-harassment policies Unpublished doctoral dissertation New York University New York, NY
  5. Friedman MS 2002 Gender-role nonconformity, bullying, and suicidality among gay and bisexual male youth Unpublished doctoral dissertation University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
  6. Kephart C 2013 Identity development and acculturation processes in gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth: Associations with depressive and suicidal symptoms Unpublished doctoral dissertation Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA
  7. Khoury L 2013 Peer support as a moderator of mental health effects of victimization among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning young adults Unpublished doctoral dissertation Pacific Graduate School of Psychology Palo Alto, CA
  8. Madsen PWB 2013 Do lesbian and gay youths’ coping strategies moderate the relationship between sexual minority stress and depression? Unpublished doctoral dissertation Alliant International University San Francisco, CA
  9. Nakkula MJ Toshalis E 2006 Understanding youth Cambridge, MA Harvard Education Press
  10. Newton S Docter S Reddin E Merlin T Hiller J 2010 Depression in adolescents and young adults: Evidence review Adelaide, AU Adelaide Health Technology Assessment, University of Adelaide
  11. Sterzing PR 2012 Risk and protective factors for bullying victimization among sexual minority youths Unpublished doctoral dissertation Washington University St Louis, MO
  12. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2014 Results from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental health findings (NSDUH Series H-49, HHS Publication no. SMA 14-4887) Rockville, MD Author 27656739
  13. Toomey RB 2011 Extracurricular activity and social justice involvement of sexual minority youth Unpublished doctoral dissertation University of Arizona Tucson, AZ

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Authors
Hall, W. J.
Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Corresponding author
Hall, William J.
ORCID
Hall, William J.
Venue
Journal of Homosexuality
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2017-05-23
Volume
65
Issue
3
Pages
263-316
ISSN
  • 0091-8369 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-3602
DOI
10.1080/00918369.2017.1317467
PMC
PMC5634914
OpenAlex
W2605795426
Cited by
238
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 2
FWCI
2.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Homosexuality (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH019117)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
Keywords
depression, LGBQ youth, psychosocial risk factors, protective factors, internalized oppression, identity concealment, social stigma, maladaptive coping, parental rejection, school bullying, violent victimization, self-esteem, social support, family support, mental health
MeSH terms
Sexual and Gender Minorities, Adolescent, Depression, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Social Identification, Stress, Psychological

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