Effects of At-school Victimization and Sexual Orientation on Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Youths’ Health Risk Behavior

Data from the 1995 Youth Risk Behavior Survey taken in Massachusetts & Vermont were examined. 315 students identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Analyses of variance were used to examine health risk behaviours by sexual orientation by gender by victimization level. The combined effect of sexual orientation & high levels of at-school victimization was associated with the highest levels of health risk behaviours, including suicidality. Youths reporting low levels of at-school victimization reported levels of suicidality & other risk behaviours similar to those of their heterosexual peers. (27 refs.)