Citation

Gattamorta KA, Salerno JP, Castro AJ. J. Sch. Health 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12817

PMID

31353476

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little research exists examining the impact of multiple minority identities, particularly sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and sex on health-risk behaviors like mental health, substance use, violence, and sexual risk among high school students in the United States. In this study, we use a nationally representative dataset to examine differences between non-Hispanic white heterosexuals (HSs) and non-Hispanic white sexual minority, black HS, black sexual minority, Hispanic HS, and Hispanic sexual minority students.

METHODS: Data from the 2015 wave of the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System were used in this study. Chi-square and hierarchical logistic regression models examined differences between the groups on outcomes including: (1) mental health and suicide, (2) alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances, (3) sexual risk and protective factors, and (4) school and physical and/or sexual violence.

RESULTS: Whereas sexual minority youth (SMY) generally demonstrate poorer health outcomes compared to HSs, SMY who are also racial/ethnic minorities often have even poorer health outcomes, particularly relating to substance use, sexual risk behaviors, physical/sexual violence, and suicide.

CONCLUSIONS: The need for culturally tailored education and school-based interventions that consider intersections between race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and biological sex are warranted to address health disparities related to mental health and suicide, substance use, sexual risk, and violence.

© 2019, American School Health Association.

Language: en

Keywords

health risk-taking; mental health; race/ethnicity; risky sexual behaviors; sexual minorities; substance use; violence