A Multigroup Structural Equation Modeling Approach for Analyzing Differences Among Sexually Diverse Youth.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Health
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sexually diverse (SD) youth experience high rates of negative behavioral health outcomes.
• Population-level data obscure critical within-group differences.
• An intersectional approach is necessary to understand the complex social dynamics influencing SD youth well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the moderating role of supportive adult relationships on behavioral health outcomes for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.
• To investigate these effects across intersecting identity categories (sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, sex).

Main Methods:

• Multigroup structural equation modeling was employed.
• Data were analyzed from a sexually diverse subset (N=10,037) of the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey.
• The study focused on 12 intersecting identity categories.

Main Results:

• Supportive relationships were linked to reduced psychological distress in lesbian and female bisexual youth across racial/ethnic groups.
• Supportive relationships were associated with a reduced likelihood of substance use among gay and bisexual male youth across racial/ethnic groups.
• The magnitude of these benefits differed significantly based on the intersection of sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and sex.

Conclusions:

• Supportive adult relationships offer health-promoting benefits for sexually diverse youth.
• These benefits are not uniform and are moderated by intersecting identities.
• Findings challenge monolithic views of SD youth and highlight the need for nuanced, identity-specific interventions.