On the basis of odds ratios, lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.
Latino men reported the highest number of negative family reactions to their sexual orientation in adolescence.
Researchers have established a link between rejecting behaviors of families towards lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents and negative health problems in early adulthood.
Published in the January 2009 issue of Pediatrics, journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Citation: Caitlin Ryan, David Huebner, Rafael M. Diaz, Jorge Sanchez. Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults. Pediatrics Jan 2009, 123 (1) 346-352; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-3524 (link to abstract)