LGBTQ+ Kids in Military Families Have More Mental Health Risks: Study
LGBTQ+ youth who have a parent in the military report significantly higher rates of mental health challenges and suicide risk, according to a new research brief by the Trevor Project.The brief, out Wednesday, draws on data from the Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.
Five percent of the youth in the sample reported having a parent currently in the military.Having a parent currently in the military was associated with 17 percent higher odds of recent anxiety symptoms, 14 percent higher odds of seriously considering suicide in the past year, and nearly 40 percent higher odds of attempting suicide in the past year, after controlling for demographic variables.
These issues were particularly common among those under 18.However, family support makes a huge difference. Among LGBTQ+ youth with a parent currently in the military, having high levels of family support was associated with nearly 40 percent lower odds of recent anxiety symptoms, 56 percent lower odds of recent depression symptoms, and 46 percent lower odds of considering suicide in the past year.“Family support can take many forms, from being available to talk about problems in a young person’s life, to being open to their LGBTQ friends, to using the correct name and pronouns,” the brief notes.Certain demographics were more likely to have a parent in the military.
LGBTQ+ youth living in the South reported the highest rates of having a parent currently in the military compared to those living in other regions of the U.S.
