School-Based Support As A Mediator Between Homophobic Bullying And Depression In Sexual Minority Youth

Abstract

School-based support as a mediator between the relationship of homophobic
bullying during high school and depression later on was examined retrospectively using a
sample of 195 participants who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning.
Participants were recruited from a Midwestern state via email and social networking sites
through their college campus' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender campus groups. The
survey was conducted online and used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression
scale to measure depression symptoms. The modified version of the Gay Lesbian and
Straight Education Network's Community Climate survey was used to measure schoolbased
support and homophobic bullying. Results showed that school-based support was
not a full or partial mediator for the relationship between homophobic bullying and lateron
depression. However, results indicated that participants who experienced the most
homophobic bullying reported significantly more symptoms of depression. Also,
participants who reported the highest frequency of homophobic bullying reported
significantly more school-based support. Additionally, male participants reported
significantly more homophobic bullying than female participants. Finally, although the
proposed model was not conclusive, further evidence is still needed to explore the impact
of school-based support on the well-being of sexual minority youth.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Assege HaileMariam (Supervisor)