About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 19. Sex, Gender

Abstract

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Backgrounds. Sexual minority (SM) individuals have alarmingly high rates of victimization during childhood and adolescence (Johns et al., 2020, McLaughlin et al., 2012), including childhood family abuse (CFA), childhood sexual abuse (CSA), as well as identity-based bullying victimization (IBB) (Fish et al., 2023; Schneeberger et al., 2014), which potentially lead to adverse outcomes (Andresen et al., 2022; O’Malley et al., 2021; Schneeberger et al., 2014). However, most previous studies fails to capture the intricate and complex nature of childhood victimization experiences. A “person-centered” approach (e.g., latent class analysis; LCA) that can more accurately discern the heterogeneity of childhood victimization experiences among SM individuals is needed. Furthermore, given the prevalence of different types of early-life violence among SM individuals, the long-term impacts of these victimization patterns warrant further attention.

Objectives. In this study, we aim to answer the two core research questions. (1) What are the childhood victimization patterns among SM young people in the U.S.? We hypothesize that we will identify latent classes of violence victimization, with at least one class that has a higher probability of exposure to childhood violence. (2) How are childhood victimization patterns associated with victimization and mental health outcomes in young adulthood? We hypothesize that the latent class with higher probabilities of exposure to childhood violence will be higher on adulthood violence victimization (both general victimization and identity-based), psychological distress, and suicide behaviors.

Methods. The sample included 564 sexual minority young adults (Mage = 22.15, SD = 2.39) from a national probability sample. Experiences Module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaire measured CFA and CSA (CDC, 2009, 2010). Participants reported IBB experiences related to sex, gender expression, and sexual orientation. We used Mplus for LCA on 8 items assessing childhood violence exposure. The 6-item Kessler Screening Scale (K6) measured psychological distress (Kessler et al., 2002), while a 6-item questionnaire assessed adulthood general victimization (Herek, 200). Participants self-reported suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and adulthood identity-based victimization. We used RStudio for Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests to explore associations between class membership and adulthood outcomes, applying Bonferroni corrections.

Results. The LCA revealed a three-class model: high family violence (Class 1, 29.8%), high sexual and family violence (Class 2, 21.8%), and low violence exposure (Class 3, 48.4%). Individuals in Classes 1 and 2 exhibited significantly higher levels of psychological distress and adulthood victimization compared to those in Class 3. Individuals in Classes 1 exhibited significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation compared to those in Class 3. Individuals in Classes 2 exhibited significantly higher levels of suicide attempts and adulthood identity-based victimization compared to those in Class 1.

Discussion. Our findings shed light on the complex patterns of childhood victimization among SM individuals. The results underscore the need for targeted support and intervention services to address childhood victimization as a risk factor for adulthood mental health and victimization exposure within the SM population.

Author information

Author	Role
Miss Yinuo Xu, UNC-Chapel Hill	Presenting author
Yutong Gao, UNC-Chapel Hill	Non-presenting author
Dorothy L. Espelage, UNC-Chapel Hill	Non-presenting author

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