Parenting and Queer Youth Mental Health and Substance Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Queer youth (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, and other identities) have higher rates of mental health and substance use challenges than their heterosexual peers yet there has not been a recent systematic review on how parenting may reduce risk for these challenges. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes recent evidence on the relationships between parenting and queer youth (ages 12–25) mental health and substance use. Using PRISMA 2020 standards, 24 studies were identified for review, 15 of which were included in a meta-analysis on the effects of parental support and rejection. Most studies were cross-sectional. Greater parental support and less parental rejection were both associated with fewer internalizing problems and substance use. The meta-analysis found that the effects of parental rejection on youth mental health were stronger than those of support. Only 3 studies examined other aspects of parenting and 5 examined parenting as a buffer against the effects of stress. Measures of parenting, especially parental support, were inconsistent across studies and often focused on general support rather than support specific to queer youth identities. Expanded conceptual models and measures are needed that capture the nuanced ways that parents may affirm queer youth identity and promote queer youth well-being.