Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Alicia Pérez-Albéniz1 , Beatriz Lucas-Molina2 and Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero1
Background: The scientific literature indicates that people from sexual minorities may be at increased risk for mental health difficulties. Moreover, parental support could play a protective role against poor mental health. The objective of this study was to examine whether a person’s sexual orientation was related to a greater risk of mental health problems in a representative sample of adolescents. In addition, the study analyzed the possible moderating effect of parental support in the relationship between sexual orientation and mental health, as also moderated by participant gender. Method: The sample consisted of 1790 secondary-school students. Indicators of emotional and behavioral difficulties, symptoms of depression, psychotic-like experiences, suicidal behavior, well-being, and self-esteem were assessed. Results: The results indicated significant main effects of gender and sexual orientation. Having a diverse sexual orientation (i.e., lesbian/gay, bisexual and questioning) was related to increased risk of mental health difficulties. Moreover, the results showed a significant interaction effect of gender and sexual orientation on suicidal behavior. Finally, the results showed the moderating effect of parental support and gender in the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal behavior. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of promoting sexual minority youths’ mental health and well-being.
Antecedentes: la investigación indica que las personas pertenecientes a minorías sexuales tienen un mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud mental. Además, el apoyo parental podría desempeñar un papel protector. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar, en una muestra representativa de adolescentes, si la orientación sexual estaba relacionada con un mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud mental. Se analizó el posible efecto moderador del apoyo parental en la relación entre la orientación sexual y la salud mental, moderado también por el género de los participantes. Método: participaron 1790 estudiantes de secundaria. Se evaluaron indicadores de dificultades emocionales y conductuales, depresión, experiencias psicóticas, conducta suicida, bienestar y autoestima. Resultados: se encontraron efectos principales significativos de género y orientación sexual. Tener una orientación sexual diversa (es decir, lesbiana/gay, bisexual y questioning) estaba relacionado con mayores dificultades de salud mental. Además, se encontró una interacción significativa del género y la orientación sexual en la conducta suicida. Por último, el apoyo parental y el género moderaron la relación entre la orientación sexual y la conducta suicida. Conclusiones: estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de promover la salud mental y el bienestar de los jóvenes pertenecientes a minorías sexuales.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2022.325