Family Acceptance Greatly Affects Health of Young Gays

Young gay people whose parents or guardians responded negatively when they revealed their sexual orientation were more likely to attempt suicide, experience severe depression and use drugs than those whose families accepted the news, according to a new study by researchers at San Francisco State University. The study also found that the way in which parents respond to a youth's sexual orientation profoundly influences the child's mental health as an adult.

Among other findings, the study showed that teens who experienced negative feedback were more than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide, nearly six times as vulnerable to severe depression and more than three times at risk of drug use.

The ongoing work at San Francisco State suggests that parents who take even baby steps to respond with equanimity instead of rejection can dramatically improve a gay youth's mental health outlook.

One of the most startling findings was that being forbidden to associate with gay peers was as damaging as being physically beaten or verbally abused by their parents in terms of negative feedback.

In the two-part study, 53 families were interviewed with gay teenagers to identify 106 specific behaviors that could be considered "accepting" or "rejecting." For example, blaming a youth for being bullied at school, shielding him from other relatives or belittling her appearance for not conforming to social expectations fell into the rejecting category.

Next, they surveyed 224 white and Latino gay people between ages 21 and 25 to see which of the behaviors they had experienced growing up. The responses then were matched against the participants' recent histories of severe depression, suicide attempts, substance abuse and unsafe sexual behavior.

While the results might seem intuitive, the study funded by the California Endowment, was the first to establish a link between health problems in gay youths and their home environments.

Lead researcher of the study, Caitlin Ryan, recommends that medical professionals ask young patients how their families have reacted to their sexual orientations and tell parents that negative reactions may prove harmful, even if well-intentioned.

Photo: Getty Images

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Comments

[Brian I.]

Along with the "being forbidden to associate with gay peers" idea; I'm 18 now, but my parents did this and it has completely turned my relationship with them. Still, this is the action that comes to mind most when I reflect back upon my coming out, and their unacceptance. Sadly, I feel my relationship will never be the same with them. They completely "cut me off" from the "dark" influences at age 16, and this has permanently damaged the trust and faith in my parents to this day.