1 - (SYM 13) Relative Influences of Social Support and Structural Stigma on LGBTQ+ Adolescent Mental Health

Background. Exposure to structural stigma (e.g., harmful public attitudes and legislation) can lead to elevated depression symptoms among LGBTQ+ youth. A powerful resource for resilience is social support, which may buffer the harmful effects of structural stigma on mental health. However, little is known about the relationship between social support, structural stigma, and depression symptoms in LGBTQ+ adolescents.

Method. This study included N = 479 LGBTQ+ teens (M age = 15), recruited via social media advertisements in May of 2022. Participants reported diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds (9.0% Black or African American, 12.5% Hispanic or Latine, 7.3% Asian, 47.8% White, and 23.4% multiracial or another race), sexual orientations (7.1% asexual, 41.9% bi+, 24% gay or lesbian, and 26.9% another identity), genders (68.4% gender diverse), and states of residence (40 U.S. states represented). Teens reported perceived social support from friends and family, separately, as well as current depression symptoms. LGBTQ-specific structural stigma was indexed at the state level by combining social attitude data and characteristics of current legislation. A stepwise approach was used to iteratively construct a regression model predicting depressive symptomatology using these variables and their interaction.

Results. In a regression model excluding family support, both friend support (b = -0.07, p < 0.01) and structural stigma (b = 0.04, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of depression symptoms in LGBTQ+ youth. When family support (b = -0.13, p < 0.01) was added to the model, structural stigma was no longer a significant predictor of depression symptoms. The interaction between different sources of social support and structural stigma were not significant predictors in any model.
Conclusion. The relationship between proximal factors (e.g., self-reported social support) structural factors (e.g., measures of state-level structural stigma), and depression symptoms in LGBTQ+ youth is complex. Meaningful family support in particular may foster resilience in LGBTQ+ teens and buffer the effects of prejudice, regardless of structural stigma levels in their state of residence.