Interpersonal Violence Victimization of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study of Risk and...

Little is known about risk and protective factors associated with distinct forms of violence victimization among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning youth, or youth who define their sexual identity another way (LGBTQ+). This study sought to examine this in a statewide representative sample of Rhode Island high school students.

Data were from the 2023 Rhode Island High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey-a biennial, voluntary, and anonymous survey designed to measure health-related behaviors and experiences among high school students. The sample comprised 1,932 high school students (weighted sample n = 46,603), of whom 28% identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or defined their sexual identity another way ("LGBTQ+" weighted sample n=11,891). The primary outcomes of interest were three types of victimization: bullying/discrimination, intimate partner violence (IPV), and sexual coercion/exploitation. Bivariate analysis explored differences in rates of victimization based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Weighted logistic and multinomial regression models focused on LGBTQ+ youth and examined the role of risk and protective factors in victimization.

LGBTQ+ students who reported always having their basic needs met at home were less likely to experience IPV (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=0.53, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]= 0.31-0.88), sexual coercion/exploitation (AOR=0.38, 95% CI=0.17-0.85), and multiple types of victimization (AOR=0.32, 95% CI=0.18-0.57). Housing insecurity (AOR=3.36, 95% CI=1.73-6.50), ever living with someone with a drug/alcohol problem (AOR=2.56, 95% CI=1.63-4.04), and ever living with someone with mental illness (AOR=3.97, 95% CI=1.76-8.96) were associated with higher odds of sexual coercion/exploitation.

Overall, findings contribute to the understanding of distinct types of victimization that LGBTQ+ youth face. Further research into the relationship between risk factors associated with unstable home environments and victimization would be valuable in identifying opportunities for prevention.