Associations Between Negative Social Experiences and Depressive Symptoms in Autistic Sexual and Gender Minority Youth.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Autistic lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth are at increased risk for negative mental health; however, no known studies have examined associations between specific social experiences and psychological distress within this group. The current study examined the effects of gender minority status and sexual minority status on negative social experiences (peer victimization and low degrees of authenticity) and depressive symptoms among autistic transition-aged youth, and explored whether associations between negative social experiences and depressive symptoms differed across gender/sexual identity.

Method

Autistic youth (N = 203) between 15 and 26 years of age (mean = 18.69, SD = 2.58) were recruited through research registries. Yo

SUBMITTER: Libster N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12684457 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature