The Role of LGBTQ Identity Pride in the Associations among Discrimination, Social Support, and Depression in a Sample of LGBTQ Adolescents

Abstract

The current study examined the role of LGBTQ identity pride in the associations among discrimination, social support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of LGBTQ youth. As part of a larger study, 13,440 LGBTQ youth completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms, past-year bullying, family rejection, general and LGBTQ-specific teacher support, general and LGBTQ-specific family support, and LGBTQ identity pride. Findings showed that greater bullying and family rejection were associated with lower LGBTQ identity pride and, in turn, greater depression. Conversely, greater general and LGBTQ-specific teacher support and greater general and LGBTQ-specific family support were associated with greater LGBTQ identity pride and, in turn, lower depression. All of the indirect effects were significant when the predictors were examined in separate models and most remained significant when the predictors were examined simultaneously. LGBTQ identity pride may be a mechanism linking discrimination and social support to depression among LGBTQ youth.