Substance Use, Parental and Teacher Support, and Mental Health Outcomes Among Latinx Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Latinx sexual and gender minority youth (LSGMY) experience specific stressors due to intersectional systemic oppression that negatively impact their mental health. Additionally, many LSGMY report engaging in substance use to cope with daily stressors. Furthermore, research shows that parental and teacher support can serve as a buffer against substance use and negative mental health outcomes among these communities. However, there is little research specifically focused on LSGMY and the role that parental and teacher support play in substance use and mental health outcomes. In a sample of 1,338 LSGMY (ages 13-17), we assessed: (a) associations between substance use and mental health outcomes, (b) associations between parental and teacher support and mental health outcomes, and (c) whether parental and teacher support moderated the relationship between substance use and mental health outcomes. Trans and gender diverse (TGD) and plurisexual Latinx youth reported lower self-esteem, higher stress, and higher depressive symptoms compared to their cisgender and/or monosexual counterparts. Parental and teacher support were associated with higher self-esteem, lower stress, and lower depressive symptoms. Alcohol and cigarette use was associated with worse mental health outcomes. Marijuana use was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Finally, teacher support significantly moderated the association between cigarette use and self-esteem at low levels of cigarette use. We discuss clincal implications for working with LSGMY, their parental figures, and their teachers and schools.