Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms Among Asian American Sexual and Gender Minoritized Youth Experiencing SOGIE- and Race-Based Bullying: A Multivariate Analysis of the Role of Social Support.

Abstract

Asian American sexual and gender minoritized youth (SGMY) experience unique patterns of emotional distress in part linked to harassment based on their multiple marginalized identities, leading to elevated rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms. This paper examined the modifying associations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) family support, teacher support, and therapy attendance in relation to depressive and anxiety symptoms among Asian American SGMY. Using a national sample of Asian American SGMY (N = 1335) between the ages 13-18 (M _age = 15.80, SD = 1.54), this study investigated protective factors against negative mental health outcomes of Asian American youth who experienced race- and sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE)-based harassment. Results showed that SOGIE- and race-based harassment, and past year therapy attendance were related to elevated depressive and anxiety symptoms. Whereas higher LGBTQ family support and teacher support were associated with lower depressive symptoms among Asian American SGMY, only teacher support was associated with anxiety symptoms. These results emphasize the need for further research on both culturally-informed school-based interventions against SOGIE- and race-based harassment faced by Asian American SGMY, and culturally-informed family-based interventions to increase LGBTQ family support and teacher support for Asian American SGMY.