Abstract
Relatively little is known about how parents influence the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents
and young adults. This gap has led to a paucity of parent-based interventions for LGB young people. A systematic literature
review on parental influences on the health of LGB youth was conducted to better understand how to develop a focused program
of applied public health research. Five specific areas of health among LGB young people aged 10–24 years old were examined:
(a) sexual behavior; (b) substance use; (c) violence and victimization; (d) mental health; and (e) suicide. A total of 31
quantitative articles were reviewed, the majority of which were cross-sectional and relied on convenience samples. Results
indicated a trend to focus on negative, and not positive, parental influences. Other gaps included a dearth of research on
sexual behavior, substance use, and violence/victimization; limited research on ethnic minority youth and on parental influences
identified as important in the broader prevention science literature; and no studies reporting parent perspectives. The review
highlights the need for future research on how parents can be supported to promote the health of LGB youth. Recommendations
for strengthening the research base are provided.
and young adults. This gap has led to a paucity of parent-based interventions for LGB young people. A systematic literature
review on parental influences on the health of LGB youth was conducted to better understand how to develop a focused program
of applied public health research. Five specific areas of health among LGB young people aged 10–24 years old were examined:
(a) sexual behavior; (b) substance use; (c) violence and victimization; (d) mental health; and (e) suicide. A total of 31
quantitative articles were reviewed, the majority of which were cross-sectional and relied on convenience samples. Results
indicated a trend to focus on negative, and not positive, parental influences. Other gaps included a dearth of research on
sexual behavior, substance use, and violence/victimization; limited research on ethnic minority youth and on parental influences
identified as important in the broader prevention science literature; and no studies reporting parent perspectives. The review
highlights the need for future research on how parents can be supported to promote the health of LGB youth. Recommendations
for strengthening the research base are provided.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10935-010-0229-1
- Authors
- Alida Bouris, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, New York University Silver School of Social Work, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Angela Pickard, University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada
- Chengshi Shiu, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, 969 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Penny S. Loosier, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
- Patricia Dittus, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
- Kari Gloppen, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
- J. Michael Waldmiller, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA USA
- Journal The Journal of Primary Prevention
- Online ISSN 1573-6547
- Print ISSN 0278-095X