Substance Use, Suicidal Behavior, and Other Mental Health Outcomes Among Youth With Intersectional Sexual and Gender Diverse Identities.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Sexual diverse (SD) and gender diverse (GD) youth are at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes compared to heterosexual/cisgender youth (HC). In this study, we aimed to examine youth risk profiles. We hypothesized that there would be a synergistic effect of SD+GD on mental health outcomes.

Method

In 2022, a total of 23,915 adolescents in grades 6 to 12 from 60 schools completed the voluntary, confidential Substance Use and Risk Factor (SURF) survey. Questions included screeners for substance use and mental health distress. Regression models examined associations between mental health outcomes and HC, GD, SD, and SD+GD.

Results

Mean age was 14.7 years; 25% identified as SD, 5.3% as GD, and 5.2% as SD+GD. Compared to HC, SD+GD youth had higher odds

SUBMITTER: Pachas GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12684452 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature