Examining the Role of Peer and Family Belongingness in the Mental Health of Black LGBTQ + Youth

Abstract

A sense of belonging to familial and peer networks is crucial for the mental health of LGBTQ + youth. Black LGBTQ + youth report feeling rejected and isolated due to their sexual and/or gender identities. Utilizing linear regression analyses, this study explored the relationship between peer and family belongingness and levels of depression, anxiety, and self-rated mental health among 181 Black LGBTQ + youth in the United States and Canada. Findings suggest that family and peer belongingness are important factors in Black LGBTQ + youth’s mental health and warrant further study into the protective nature of peer and family relationships for this population.

Keywords:

• Black LGBTQ
• youth
• mental health
• belongingness
• minority stress

Disclosure statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Grant (Grant #498466).