Multilevel stigma and depression among a national sample of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents in the United States

J Psychopathol Clin Sci. 2023 Jul;132(5):577-589. doi: 10.1037/abn0000841.

Abstract

Limited research has examined how multiple forms of oppression (e.g., racism, heterosexism, transphobia)-manifesting across multiple levels (e.g., interpersonal, structural)-can place Black and Latinx lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual/gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents at increased risk for internalizing psychopathology, including depression. Utilizing a national sample of 2,561 Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents (aged 13-17), we examined associations among depressive symptoms and several adolescent-focused manifestations of stigma, including: (a) interpersonal racial/ethnic bullying, (b) interpersonal sexual orientation bullying, (c) nine state-level forms of structural stigma or protection for LGBTQ+ adolescents, and (d) a new adolescent-focused composite index of state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma. Racial/ethnic bullying and sexual orientation bullying were found to be prevalent among the sample and were associated-both independently and jointly-with increased depressive symptoms. One harmful state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma indicator (i.e., anti-LGBTQ+ community attitudes) and seven protective state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma indicators (e.g., conversion therapy bans) were associated with odds of depressive symptoms, in the expected directions. Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents residing in states with greater overall anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma reported increased depressive symptoms, even when adjusting for racial/ethnic and sexual orientation bullying. Additionally, Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents living in the most stigmatizing states demonstrated 32% increased odds of depressive symptoms, as compared to those living in the most LGBTQ+ affirming states. Multilevel, intersectional interventions could have optimal effects on the mental health and resilience of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American* / psychology
  • Black or African American* / statistics & numerical data
  • Bullying / psychology
  • Bullying / statistics & numerical data
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Depression* / ethnology
  • Depression* / etiology
  • Depression* / psychology
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino* / psychology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities* / psychology
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities* / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Stigma*
  • United States / epidemiology