Familial Pathways to Polyvictimization for Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sexual and gender minority adolescents (SGMA) are polyvictimized in the last year (i.e., experiencing 10 or more different forms of victimization) at nearly twice the rate (39.3% vs. 20%) compared to national estimates from the general youth population. Little is known about the family-level experiences that may increase or decrease this population’s risk for polyvictimization. In an effort to address these gaps, we utilized a large, national, convenience sample of SGMA (N = 1177; 14-19 y/o) to (a) identify family classes based on family-level experiences of homo/transpositive microaffirmations, homo/transnegative microaggressions, violence (sibling aggression and child maltreatment), and non-violent adversity and (b) examine the associations between family classes and last year polyvictimization, as mediated by mental health problems, peer rejection, and extrafamilial victimization (bullying, peer, dating, and community).

METHODS:The study utilized an online survey with a cross-sectional, quantitative design and a sexual orientation-based quota sample. Eligibility criteria included sexual or gender minority identity, 14-19 y/o, middle or high school enrollment, U.S. residency, and English literacy. Participants were primarily recruited through Facebook advertisements. Familial victimization, extrafamilial victimization, and polyvictimization were assessed with adapted versions of the Abbreviated Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and the Swearer Bullying Survey. Homo-transpositive microaffirmations, homo/transnegative microaggressions, and peer rejection were assessed with new measures designed for the current study. Non-violent family adversity, depression, posttraumatic stress, and emotional dysregulation used established adolescent measures. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify overall demographics, last year polyvictimization rate, and mean-levels of mental health problems, peer rejection, and extrafamilial victimization. Latent class analysis was used to identify family classes based on experiences of microaffirmations, microaggressions, sibling aggression, child maltreatment, and non-violent adversity. A single-indicator path model within a structural equation framework was used to examine potential pathways to polyvictimization.

RESULTS: A five-class solution had the best overall fit: (1) high violence and adversity (HV&A), (2) low microaffirming/high microaggressive (LMF/HMG), (3) high microaffirming with mean-levels of violence and adversity (HMF), (4) high microaffirming/low microaggressive (HMF/LMG), and (5) baseline (i.e., below mean-levels on all family factors). The path model explained 76.8% of polyvictimization variance. Direct pathways to polyvictimization were observed for three family classes (HV&A; LMF/HMG; HMF). Higher-levels of posttraumatic stress was the primary indirect pathway from these three family classes to higher-levels of peer rejection, extrafamilial victimization and polyvictimization.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study examined an adapted conceptual model with two new familial pathways (homo/transpositive microaffirmations; homo/transnegative microaggressions) that has the potential to identify SGMA most at risk for polyvictimization. SGMA in families with high-levels of microaggressions, violence, and adversity are at greater risk for polyvictimization. Posttraumatic stress appears to be the primary mechanism bridging these family experiences and polyvictimization. Addressing trauma symptoms related to family experiences of microaggression, violence, and adversity may have a beneficial impact on reducing this population’s risk for peer rejection, extrafamilial victimization, and ultimately polyvictimization.