The high risks of homophobia

A new study published in the December 29 online edition of Pediatrics adds further evidence that parental attitudes toward their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children can have deleterious effects on the youth.
Based on their sample of 224 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered adults in California, researchers found that teens rejected by their families were eight times more likely to attempt suicide, six times more likely to struggle with depression, and three time more likely to engage in high risk drug and sexual behaviors.
Two additional notes of interest: First, gay Latinos encountered the most negative reactions from their families and had the highest risk factors for HIV and mental health problems.
Second, the study found that forbidding a gay teen from socializing with their gay peers carried the same risk as physical or verbal abuse.
You can read more about the study at Discover.Sphere: Related Content