Peer victimization disparities for sexual and gender diverse youth: Cross-informant reports and associated mental health

Abstract

Sexual and gender diverse (SGD) youth experience poorer well-being than their heterosexual, cisgender (HC) peers, partly due to elevated peer victimization. This study examined how youth's and adults' (i.e., parents' and teachers') recognition of peer victimization is related to SGD youth's mental health discrepancies. Using data from the British Millennium Cohort Study, we analyzed congruence in peer victimization reports from parent–youth dyads (Waves 4–6, n = 8260–8846) and teacher–youth dyads (Waves 4–5, n = 5354–5708). Youth were categorized into four cross-informant victimization classes: non-victims, only-youth-perceived victims, only-adult-perceived victims, and congruent victims. Results showed that parents and teachers generally underestimated peer victimization, with most incidents recognized only by youth themselves. Nevertheless, SGD youth were more likely than HC youth to be classified as congruent victims, indicating their victimization was more visible to parents and teachers. Congruent victims reported the worst mental health, and this cross-informant recognition pattern was most consistently linked to SGD youth's mental health discrepancies, both concurrently and longitudinally. These findings suggest that while parents and teachers are more aware of SGD youth's victimization than of HC youth's victimization, this awareness has not translated into effective support. This visibility represents a critical intervention opportunity for parents and teachers to provide timely responses that could improve SGD youth's mental health.