Emotional and behavioral problems among sexual minority youth in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Sexual minority youth (SMY) had more risk behaviors and mental health problems than heterosexual youth. Relatively little research has differentiated among lesbian/gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth.

Objective: To examine the differences in emotional and behavioral problems between LGBQ youth in the city of Northern Thailand.

Methods: Data were from a school-based, cross-sectional study of grade 7-12 students in secondary and vocational schools. Five hundred and forty-three students who identified themselves as LGBQ and 3829 heterosexual peers completed the Youth Self-Report (YSR).

Results: Of 12.4% of LGBQ participants, 4.1% identified themselves as lesbian/gay, 4.8% as bisexual, and 3.5% were unsure. SMY had significantly higher scores in internalizing problems (16.84 VS 13.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94-3.77, P < 0.001), externalizing problems (15.23 VS 13.51, 95% CI 0.97-2.45, P < 0.001), and total behavioral scores (55.26 VS 47.16, 95% CI 5.55-10.63, P < 0.001) than their heterosexual peers. In sexual minority subgroup analyses, all syndrome subscales were highest in the bisexual group followed by the lesbian/gay group, and the questioning group, respectively.

Conclusion: LGBQ high school students had greater psychosocial problems than their heterosexual counterparts. Bisexual students were at the greatest risks of emotional and behavioral problems. Pediatricians and school mental health providers should be aware of emotional and behavioral problems among LGBQ students.

Keywords: Emotional and behavioral problems; Externalizing problems; Internalizing problems; Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth; Sexual minority youth; Youth Self-Report (YSR).