News Release

School experiences of sexual-minority adolescents

Researchers examine peer victimization and acceptance

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Society for Research in Child Development

School victimization of sexual-minority youths—those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, for example—is well documented. This type of victimization has been linked to a variety of negative psychosocial and academic outcomes. But a number of questions about the effects of victimization on sexual-minority youths remain.

The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) will host a symposium during its Biennial Meeting that brings together researchers to consider this issue from a number of perspectives. Among the questions that will be addressed:

  • Is victimization based on sexual orientation bias more or less harmful for sexual-minority adolescents than general victimization?
  • Are sexual-minority adolescents at greater risk for being victimized at school than heterosexual adolescents?
  • What predicts acceptance by peers for sexual-minority youths?
  • How does peer acceptance affect school outcomes such as academic achievement for sexual-minority youths?

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The symposium will take place in the Palais des Congrès (Convention Center) de Montréal, 519B, on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from 10:20 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Researchers: Joseph G. Kosciw, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); Emily A. Greytak, GLSEN; Ryan Kull, New York University; Paul Poteat, Boston College; Ethan H. Mereish, Boston College; Craig D. DiGiovanni, Boston College; Russell B. Toomey, The University of Arizona


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