Some youths are more likely than others to be victims of bullying and cyberbullying. Researchers want to understand why this is happening and how to prevent it. The following results are from youths across the United States who completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths are twice as likely as heterosexual (straight) youths to be bullied. Transgender youths are also twice as likely as nontransgender youths to be bullied. These findings are true for both traditional bullying and cyberbullying.
Data from youths in Pittsburgh suggest the same story is true in our own neighborhoods. Forty percent of LGB youths were bullied in the past year, compared to only 22 percent of heterosexuals. Twenty percent of LGB youths were cyberbullied in the past year versus 8 percent of heterosexuals. These results are from 1,813 teens who completed the Health Allegheny Teens Survey (HATS). The University of Pittsburgh Evaluation Institute administered HATS in 2014.
Being bullied has been linked with multiple mental and physical health problems. Victims of bullying are much more likely than nonvictims to be depressed, think about suicide and use alcohol or drugs. All these health outcomes are higher among LGB and transgender youths. Bullying has also been shown to be a major contributor to the differences between these groups’ health outcomes.
Bullying can be reduced by school policies and social practices. Antidiscrimination policies and gender and sexual alliances (GSAs) can help reduce bullying. Adults and caregivers can also help LGB and transgender youths by actively listening to them and affirming their identities. If a youth tells you about their sexuality, you can say things like, “I am proud of you for sharing that with me,” or “Thank you for telling me; you are brave for doing that.” These kinds of phrases can make youths feel heard and accepted. But adults must be careful not to discuss the youths’ sexual orientations or gender identities with others without permission. More ways to support LGB and transgender youths can be found at www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm.
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
