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Homelessness Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Implications for Subsequent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms

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Abstract

Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth with a history of homelessness (running away or being evicted from their homes by parents) report more psychological symptoms than homeless heterosexual peers, it is unclear whether symptoms are due to homelessness, given the absence of a non-homeless comparison group. This study longitudinally investigates whether LGB youth with a history of homelessness report more subsequent psychological symptoms than non-homeless LGB youth and examines potential mediators of any such relationships. Of the 156 LGB youth interviewed (49% female; 78% non-White), 48% reported past homeless experiences. Homelessness was associated with subsequent symptoms of anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and substance abuse and to changes in symptoms over time even after controlling for childhood sexual abuse and early development of sexual orientation. Stressful life events, negative social relationships, and social support from friends mediated the relationships between homelessness and symptomatology. These findings suggest the need for interventions to reduce stress and enhance social support among LGB youth with a history of homelessness in order to reduce psychological symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Center Grant P50-MH43520 from the National Institute of Mental Health (Margaret Rosario, Project PI; Anke Ehrhardt, Center PI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The City University of New York – City College and Graduate Center, NAC Building 7-120, Convent Avenue and 138th Street, New York, NY, 10031, USA

    Margaret Rosario

  2. Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Eric W. Schrimshaw

  3. HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA

    Joyce Hunter

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  1. Margaret Rosario
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  3. Joyce Hunter
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Correspondence to Margaret Rosario.

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Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E.W. & Hunter, J. Homelessness Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Implications for Subsequent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms. J Youth Adolescence 41, 544–560 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9681-3

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