Friends’ sexual orientation, relational quality, and mental health among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth

Citation

Ueno, Koji; Gayman, Mathew D.; Wright, Eric R.; & Quantz, Steven D. (2009). Friends' sexual orientation, relational quality, and mental health among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. Personal Relationships. vol. 16 (4) pp. 659-670

Abstract

The existing literature on gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth emphasizes unique benefits of having GLB friends, but empirical studies have shown no or only small mental health advantages of having them. To unravel this contradiction, this study tested a common assumption that GLB youth develop better relational quality with their GLB friends than with straight friends. Statistical analysis used interview data from community organization participants in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (n = 84) and employed analysis of variance and ordinary least squares regression models. GLB youth's friendships with GLB and straight peers did not differ in contact frequency, emotional closeness, and hassles. Further, GLB and straight friends were similar in the degree to which each relational quality dimension was associated with mental health.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1475-6811.2009.01245.x

Keyword(s)

Mental health Sexual orientation

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Personal Relationships

Author(s)

Ueno, Koji
Gayman, Mathew D.
Wright, Eric R.
Quantz, Steven D.

Year Published

2009

Volume Number

16

Issue Number

4

Pages

659-670

ISSN/ISBN

1350-4126

DOI

10.1111/j.1475-6811.2009.01245.x

Reference ID

1094