Adolescents and Sexual Orientation
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Transcript of Adolescents and Sexual Orientation
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LGBTQ Youth: What CASA Need to Know
Suzanne Dooley, MSW Candidate
University of Illinois
April 18, 2009
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Why Address This Now?
• Increasing evidence shows sexual orientation is biologically based– Physiological factors– Environmental factors
• Prejudice is rampant– Modern history– It’s a choice
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Risk Factors for CASA Children
• Social circumstances• Emotional issues• Psychological concerns• Behavioral trends• Developmental supports
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Results of Cumulative Effects
• Self-blame• PTSD• Risky behaviors• Suicide Risk
• Don’t assume abuse made them that way – they might already be there
• It is not a result of abuse
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What Can CASA Do?
• Be or Provide a Mentor/Ally– Perspective– Support– Advocacy
• Be non-judgmental– Know your limits
• Find a Youth Group
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Cultural Components
• Sex-role Expectations– Age– Gender– Level of
• Acculturation• Assimilation• Enculturation
• Family of origin vs current placement
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Is It a Disorder?
• Sex-role vs. Sexual Identity• DSM category!• Be aware of tolerances
• Vignette:– Paul, 10 year old by from a Carribean
culture– Transgender orientation– “Acted out”
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What is Normal?
• Biological sexual development– Increasingly sexual up to age 5– Drops for both genders – Drops even more at age 9– Begins to increase for 11 year old girls
• Sexual identity development
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Now Let’s Add the Risk of Being in the LGBT Population…
• 66% females were called tomboys• 58% males were called sissies• Females “more accepted”• Male youth are victimized more
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• ¾ felt “different” when growing up• ½+ told them they were different• 87% disclosed at age 15
• Study of 528 LGB Youth
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Formative Years are spent…
• Worrying about displeasing parents• Consolidating intensification of
developmental milestone with identity
• Trying to integrate unsuccessfully in peer groups
• Trying to hide to avoid being ostracized
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Coming to Grips w/Self
• Realize attractions during early adolescence
• Personal awareness predates puberty/crystallized at puberty
• Conflict may be intense• Multiple overlapping process
in coming out
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Aspects of Identity Development
• Stage 1: Confusion• Stage 2: Comparison• Stage 3: Identity Tolerance• Stage 4: Self-Acceptance• Stage 5: Pride• Stage 6: Synthesis
J.H. Fontaine & N.L. Hammond (1996). Counseling issues with gay and lesbian adolescents. Adolescence, 31, 817-830
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Major stressors
• Mental Health
• Urban areas
• HIV Issues
• High Risk Behaviors
• Suicidality– Multiple attempters
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As a CASA:
• Help youths explore and accept themselves
• Help youths deal with family issues• Intervene for abused youths• Be aware of developing mental and
physical health problems
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