The Influence of Sexual and Gender Minority Microaggressive and Microaffirming Families on Polyvictimization Rates for Lgbtq Adolescents

Background and Purpose: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) have substantially higher rates of bullying victimization and childhood abuse in comparison to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Little research exists examining the associations between family-level homo/transnegative microaggressions and homo/transpositive microaffirmations and rates of polyvictimization (i.e., experiencing 10 or more unique forms of victimization) for SGMY. Utilizing a national sample of SGMY (N =1179), this study (a) identified the last year polyvictimization rate across 42 different forms of violence, (b) classified and identified the frequency of SGMY belonging to families characterized by differential levels of homo/transnegativity and homo/transpositivity, and (c) examined the associations between these family classifications and becoming polyvictimized, controlling for sexual orientation, gender identity, race, gender-role nonconformity, sexuality disclosure, depression, posttraumatic stress, emotional dysregulation, and positive school climate.

Methods: The study utilized an Internet-based, quota sample of SGMY. Eligibility criteria included sexual or gender minority identity, 14-19 y/o, middle or high school enrollment, U.S. residency, and English literacy. The study utilized a cross-sectional, quantitative design and recruited participants through Facebook advertisements and promotional materials at 12 SGMY organizations. Family-level homo/transnegativity and homo/transpositivity was assessed using a measure constructed for this study. Polyvictimization was assessed utilizing adapted versions of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and the Swearer Bullying Survey. Mental health was assessed using preexisting and adapted measures. SMGY were classified into four categories based on being above or below the median value on the family-level homo/transnegativity and homo/transpositivity measures. Descriptive analyses identified rates of polyvictimization and the frequency of each family classification. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify significant differences between family classifications and becoming polyvictimized.

Results: The last year polyvictimization rate for the sample was 42.7%. Overall, 31.9% had families classified as low negativity/high positivity, followed by 30.5% high negativity/low positivity, 21.5% low negativity/low positivity, and 16.1% high negativity/high positivity. In comparison to low negativity/high positivity families, participants with high negativity/high positivity [AOR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7, 4.3), p < .001] and high negativity/low positivity [AOR = 2.5 (95% CI: 1.7, 3.6), p < .001] families had significantly higher adjusted odds ratios of becoming polyvictimized. Depression, posttraumatic stress, and positive school climate were also identified as significant predictors of polyvictimization.

Conclusions and Implications: SMGY are a highly victimized adolescent population, with 42.7% reporting ten or more unique forms of victimization in the last year. This study’s central finding is SGMY who belong to families with high-levels of homo/transnegative microaggressions, regardless of how much homo/transpositive microaffirmations they might also experience within the family system, have approximately two and half times higher adjusted odds of becoming polyvictimized in the last year in comparison to those with low negativity/high positivity families. This study suggests family-level homo/transnegative microaggressions and homo/transpositive microaffirmations, depression, posttraumatic stress, and positive school climate are potential modifiable risk and protective factors that could be leveraged in violence prevention strategies for SMGY.