Preteens use dating apps, and 1 in 4 are sexual minorities: Study
Though most online dating apps have a minimum age requirement of 18 years, a new study finds that a small number of 11–12 year-olds use them. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) preteens are 13 times more likely to report engaging in online dating compared to their heterosexual peers.
The research is published in the journal BMC Research Notes.
"Lesbian, gay, or bisexual adolescents, including preteens, may have limited romantic partner options in their schools, where they may also face discrimination, bullying, and stigma because of their sexual orientation," says lead author Jason Nagata, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. "Dating apps may allow adolescents to easily identify other LGB users in close geographic proximity, whereas it may be more difficult to determine a potential partner's sexual orientation in real life."
The researchers analyzed data from 10,157 adolescents, mostly 11 to 12 year-olds, who are part of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, the largest long-term study of brain development and child health in the United States. Data were collected from 2018-2020. Adolescents answered questions about online dating app use and their sexual orientation.
The study also found that preteen boys were nearly three times more likely to report online dating compared to girls.
"Preteen boys are more likely than girls to report that social media made them feel more connected with their significant other," says co-author Kyle T. Ganson, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. "Prior research has found that half of boys reported that social media made them feel more emotionally connected with their significant other, compared to 37% of girls."
The higher rates of online dating in LGB and male preteens may reflect trends in general screen use. A related study found that LGB preteens spend four more hours per day on screens in general, including television, videos, social media, and texting, than their heterosexual peers. Similarly, preteen boys spend 45 more minutes of total screen time daily than girls.
"Although online media can have benefits such as connection and socialization for LGB adolescents, parents and media literacy programs should provide guidance to mitigate risks from online dating such as cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, privacy violations, and the exchanging of inappropriate content," Nagata says. "Parents should talk to their adolescents about media usage, including online dating, and develop rules through a family media use plan."
More information: Jason M. Nagata et al, Social epidemiology of online dating in U.S. early adolescents, BMC Research Notes (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06777-w
Provided by University of Toronto
Study findings show transitioning gender identities is not linked with depression
A longitudinal study of LGBTQ+ youths has found that transitioning gender identities is not associated with depression and that about 1 in 3 gender-minority youths change their gender identity more than once. In fact, the study found higher rates of depression among transgender youths are more closely associated with bullying and victimization.
The findings from a team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin and in Brazil are outlined in a paper in JAMA Network Open.
The study followed 366 LGBTQ+ young people ages 15–21 in two U.S. cities from 2011 to 2015 and measured depressive symptoms periodically, as well as the young people's self-reported gender identity and other factors.
During the study period, three-fourths of the participants maintained a gender identity consistent with their sex at birth (known as cisgender) throughout the three years, and another 9% maintained a transgender identity during the study period. Variations in gender identity were observed among other participants, including about 8% who reported a transgender identity earlier on and moved to a cisgender identity by the end of the study.
"Exploring gender identity and gender expression is a normal part of adolescence and growing up for some youth," said André Gonzales Real, a clinical psychiatrist and UT doctoral student in human development and family sciences and corresponding author on the paper.
"Depression among transgender youth is a big public health concern, but it's not gender identity or transitioning that is at the root. It's the bullying, rejection and victimization we need to be worried about."
Of the ouths who reported a different gender identity during the study, almost one-third did so more than twice. Among these youths, the rate of depressive symptoms was the lowest of the different groups and remained largely stable throughout the study.
Specifically, researchers found that young people who transitioned from a cisgender identity to a transgender identity were more likely to experience symptoms of depression than those who maintained a cisgender identity throughout the study.
Importantly, when researchers controlled for bullying and victimization, which is more common for transgender youths, there was no statistical difference in depressive symptoms between groups. The finding lends key context to earlier reports of links between youth depression and gender transition.
"We found that gender identity is not the primary driver of mental health. Mental health is related to the environment young people are living in," said Stephen Russell, the Priscilla Pond Flawn Regents Professor in Child Development at UT and an author of the paper. "Being a transgender young person does not lead to depression on its own, but the social environment that many of these young people experience does."
Researchers also concluded that there was no change in depressive symptoms measured before and after transitions to transgender—or to cisgender. Finally, the study found that results were the same regardless of participants' use of hormones and puberty blockers.
Many studies looking at long-term outcomes for transgender and gender diverse youths come from clinical settings. The study is innovative in using a community-based sample, working with young people involved in community organizations serving LGBTQ+ youths.
Maria Inês Rodrigues Lobato of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil is also a corresponding author on the paper.
More information: Trajectories of Gender Identity and Depressive Symptoms in Youths, JAMA Network Open (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11322 , jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman … /fullarticle/2818886
Journal information: Child Psychiatry & Human Development
Provided by University of Texas at Austin
Autistic-led study reveals urgent priorities for supporting autistic girls and gender diverse youth
A new study led by autistic people and researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) sheds light on the challenges faced by autistic girls, women and gender diverse people within health care, the education system and society.
The research paper, titled "Nothing About Us, Without Us': Research Priorities for Autistic Girls, Women and Gender Diverse People in Australia" and published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, highlights the urgent need for inclusive supports to maximize the well-being of autistic people and provides key considerations for the National Autism Strategy that is currently under community consultation.
Study co-lead Dr. Rachel Grove from the UTS School of Public Health, said the research aims to address the longstanding gaps in understanding the experiences of autistic women, girls and gender diverse people.
"Historically, autism has been viewed through a gendered lens with incorrect assumptions that only boys can be autistic, resulting in oversight and inadequate support. It was critical to ensure that autistic people undertook the research," said Dr. Grove.
Sarah Gurrin, an autistic co-lead on the project said autistic people have often been studied by academics with no lived experience and a narrow view of what autism is.
"This is vital research to help ensure there is not another lost generation of autistic girls, women and gender diverse people."
The researchers heard from over 100 autistic girls and gender diverse people aged from 7 to 17. Parents and health professionals were deliberately excluded to prioritize the perspectives of autistic youth.
As Hayley Clapham, an autistic co-lead in the research explains, "for too long autism research focused on children and young people has predominantly reflected the perspectives of clinicians, educators and parents.
"To ensure that research accurately responds to the needs and experiences of autistic young people, it is crucial that researchers prioritize their inclusion in the shaping and informing of research and outcomes that directly impact their lives."
The findings, distilled into six key research priority areas for autistic young people, provide a roadmap for meaningful change.
The foremost concern expressed by autistic girls and gender diverse young people was the need for greater understanding and support at school, including tailored inclusive support across all educational environments.
One autistic young person told the researchers, "The fact is that I can be in a school system where I don't receive the support I need because I'm not visibly struggling. I think there needs to be more awareness spread of how autism looks and that it's not a little mold that someone can fit into."
Autistic girls and gender diverse young people also want a better understanding of their experiences, strengths and challenges related to puberty, sensory differences, self-regulation needs, and to see themselves represented in society and the media.
As one autistic young person put it, "I didn't really see representation of an autistic person that looked or acted like me, a girl, a teenager, all of these things."
The third priority outlines the pressing need for specialized mental health services tailored to the autistic experience. This is critical given autistic women are 83% more likely to lose their life by suicide than the general population.
One young person said, "I spent years struggling in school until I mentally broke … Why does it take so long to help autistic females? Why do we have to be mentally exhausted?"
Other research priorities included friendships and relationships, and inclusive policies and resources that affirm and respect diverse gender identities and focus on support first. The researchers say this is critical given the greater gender diversity among autistic people.
The final research priority focuses on accommodations to make life easier, such as practical adjustments that alleviate stress, build capacity and promote autonomy.
The researchers also spoke to over 300 autistic women and gender diverse adults, with a further eight key priorities identified, including understanding experiences of trauma, abuse and sexual violence, and addressing barriers in health care, education and the workplace.
One autistic adult spoke of the importance of recognizing the strengths of autistic young people and supporting them to flourish, "I think these girls, these strengths and these brains need to be embraced and utilized. These brilliant, brilliant human beings… I wished that I had those tools, and that I was allowed to thrive and to be who I am when I was that young."
Tess Moodie, an autistic co-lead in the research said, "For years we have been saying there should be nothing about us without us.
"I am hopeful this will set the standard for commitments from future researchers, both for the priorities, but also in authentically collaborating with autistic people in co-development of research.
"This work sets the agenda for future research to help autistic young people live better lives in our neurotypical-centered world."
More information: Rachel Grove et al, 'Nothing About Us, Without Us': Research Priorities for Autistic Girls, Women and Gender Diverse People in Australia, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06330-5
by Eric W. Dolan
May 22, 2024
in Consensual Non-Monogamy
(Photo credit: Adobe Stock)
A recent study published in Psychology & Sexuality suggests that polyamory is not only present among adolescents but also comes with significant stigma and mental health challenges. This research, one of the first to focus on polyamorous youth, found that 16.7% of the participants at an LGBTQ+ summer camp identified as polyamorous or ambiamorous. These adolescents reported higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to their peers.
Polyamory refers to a relationship structure in which individuals have multiple romantic partners simultaneously, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Unlike cheating, which involves secrecy and betrayal, polyamory is based on honesty, communication, and mutual agreement among all partners. Polyamorous relationships can vary widely and do not necessarily involve sexual activity; they may focus on emotional and romantic connections.
Ambiamory is a related term that describes a person’s flexibility in their relationship preferences. Ambiamorous individuals are open to either monogamous or polyamorous relationships, depending on their current situation and the preferences of their partners. Essentially, ambiamorous people do not have a fixed preference for one type of relationship structure over another; instead, they adapt to what feels right based on their circumstances and the dynamics with their partners.
The motivation behind the new study stemmed from the growing visibility and acceptance of polyamory among adults, coupled with a lack of understanding about its presence and impact among adolescents. While polyamory has been featured more prominently in media and research focusing on adults, there has been little exploration of how these relationship structures affect younger individuals.
To investigate whether polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents experience higher levels of mental health challenges, study author Traci Gillig surveyed individuals at Brave Trails, a summer camp designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. A total of 323 adolescents, aged 12 to 17, participated in the research. These participants were selected as they attended the camp during the summer of 2023.
Participants completed surveys at two different points: before the camp began and on the last full day of the camp. These surveys included standardized assessments to measure anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale of the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 was used to assess anxiety, while the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form was employed to measure depressive symptoms. These tools are well-established in psychological research and provide reliable data on the mental health status of the participants.
In addition to mental health assessments, the surveys asked participants about their preferred relationship structure and their comfort level with being open about their relationship preferences in their home communities. The participants could choose from options like monogamous, polyamorous, ambiamorous, or unsure, and they were also given the opportunity to elaborate on their responses through open-ended questions.
The study also included qualitative elements. Participants provided written explanations about their perceptions of safety and acceptance regarding their polyamorous identity. These qualitative responses were analyzed thematically to identify common patterns and themes related to their experiences and feelings of safety in their home environments.
Gillig found that a substantial portion of the camp’s participants, approximately 16.7%, identified as polyamorous or ambiamorous. These polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents exhibited elevated depressive symptoms before attending the camp. However, the study found no significant difference in anxiety levels between polyamorous/ambiamorous youth and their peers at the outset, indicating that the impact on mental health may be more pronounced in terms of depressive symptoms rather than anxiety.
A notable aspect of the findings was the impact of the supportive environment provided by the LGBTQ+ camp. All adolescents, regardless of their relationship preferences, showed improved mental health by the end of the camp. Both depressive symptoms and anxiety levels decreased significantly after spending time in this accepting and affirming setting. This highlights the importance of creating supportive spaces for marginalized youth, where they can explore their identities without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Despite the overall improvement in mental health, the study revealed that many polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents did not feel safe being open about their identity in their home communities. Less than half (44.4%) of these youth felt safe or would feel safe disclosing their polyamorous identity at home. The qualitative data provided deeper insight into this issue, with many adolescents expressing concerns about being misunderstood, judged, or stigmatized if they were open about their relationship preferences.
The thematic analysis of the written responses identified several reasons why these adolescents did not feel safe. The most common reasons included the stigmatization of polyamory, a lack of understanding about polyamorous relationships, and uncertainty or fear about how people would react. Many adolescents mentioned that even those who accepted their LGBTQ+ identity might not be supportive of their polyamorous identity, indicating a specific gap in acceptance and understanding within their communities.
“It was notable that many of the polyamorous teens said they wouldn’t feel safe being out in their home communities,” said Gillig, an assistant professor at Washington State University. “They felt like they would be misunderstood or that people have stereotypes or judgments around what it means for them to be poly, like that they are promiscuous or don’t perceive cheating as a problem.”
“Youths’ experience with being polyamorous or ambiamorous is similar to being LGBTQ+ in that if they perceive that they won’t be supported, then they’re not as likely to disclose their identity at home. We know from research with queer youth that this can cause elevated levels of depressive symptoms,” she added. “My hope is that parents would have an open mind, if their child comes to them and expresses that they identify as polyamorous or if they have questions about it.”
On the other hand, the adolescents who did feel safe being open about their polyamorous identity often cited supportive or indifferent attitudes in their communities, knowing other polyamorous individuals, and a strong comfort with their own identity as reasons for their sense of safety. These protective factors underscore the importance of having visible support networks and fostering an environment where diverse relationship structures are understood and accepted.
The study, “Polyamorous and ambiamorous adolescents: a first empirical look at mental health in an LGBTQ+ sample,” was published online on April 28, 2024.
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