Prospective associations among relationship abuse, sexual harassment and bullying in a community sample of sexual minority and exclusively heterosexual youth

Journal Article · 27 July 2020 · Journal of Adolescence

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.06.010 · OSTI ID:1691696

Hequembourg, Amy L. ^[1]; Livingston, Jennifer A. ^[1]; Wang, Weijun ^[2]

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1. School of Nursing State University of New York at Buffalo 3435 Main Street, Wende Hall Buffalo NY 14214 USA
2. Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions State University of New York at Buffalo 1021 Main Street Buffalo NY 14203 USA

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual minority youth (SMY) are at significantly greater risk for experiencing adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) than exclusively heterosexual youth, yet little is known about the factors that elevate their risks for such abuse. Peer victimization (i.e., bullying, sexual harassment) has been associated with ARA among heterosexual youth. SMY experience higher rates of peer victimization than heterosexual youth, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for ARA among these youth. Using longitudinal data from a community sample of adolescents recruited from the northeastern US, we examined whether sexual identity was associated prospectively with ARA, and whether that relationship would be indirect, and mediated via bullying and sexual harassment at a 12‐month follow‐up. We expected to find higher rates of peer victimization and ARA among SMY than heterosexual youth, and we expected that sexual harassment and bullying would predict subsequent relationship abuse. Methods Adolescents ( N  = 800; 58% female; 81% European‐American; 19% SMY) between 13 and 15 years ( M  = 14.45, SD  = 0.85) completed a web survey at baseline, 6‐months and 12‐months. Results Consistent with prior studies, SMY reported higher rates of bullying, sexual harassment, and relationship abuse than heterosexual youth. SMY who reported sexual harassment at baseline were more likely to report relationship abuse over time. Contrary to our expectations, however, bully victimization did not predict subsequent relationship abuse. Conclusions Sexual harassment can be particularly harmful for SMY because it targets gender and sexual identity at a formative developmental period and puts youth at risk for relationship abuse.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1691696
• Journal Information: Journal of Adolescence, Journal Name: Journal of Adolescence Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 83; ISSN 0140-1971
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English