LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Inclusive School Policies Are Associated with Self-Worth among Youth in Gender-Sexuality Alliances over the School Year
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| Title: | LGBTQ+ Advocacy and Inclusive School Policies Are Associated with Self-Worth among Youth in Gender-Sexuality Alliances over the School Year |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | V. Paul Poteat (ORCID |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. 2025 61(11):2106-2118. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305A190165 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education Junior High Schools Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | School Policy, Advocacy, Inclusion, LGBTQ People, Self Concept, Social Support Groups, Clubs, Student Diversity, Student Characteristics, High School Students, Middle School Students, Bullying |
| Geographic Terms: | Massachusetts, New York (New York), California |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0002024 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| Abstract: | Inclusive school policies and youth advocacy could promote well-being and positive development among youth of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Utilizing three waves of data over a 6-month period, we tested a three-level multilevel model on the extent to which youth's advocacy in gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs; school clubs affirming youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or with other expansive sexual orientations or gender identities [LGBTQ+]) and attending schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices were associated with youth's self-worth. Participants were 627 youth (87% LGBQ+ youth, 45% transgender or nonbinary youth, 48% youth of color, M[subscript age] = 15.13) in 51 GSAs. Youth who reported greater involvement in advocacy over the 6-month period reported greater self-worth than others. There was also a contextual effect at the GSA level: Youth in GSAs whose members collectively reported greater advocacy reported even greater self-worth, beyond what was associated with a youth's own advocacy. Furthermore, GSA members in schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices reported greater self-worth over the study period. The findings highlight the importance of youth and school efforts to affirm the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ young people. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503063 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Inclusive school policies and youth advocacy could promote well-being and positive development among youth of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Utilizing three waves of data over a 6-month period, we tested a three-level multilevel model on the extent to which youth's advocacy in gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs; school clubs affirming youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or with other expansive sexual orientations or gender identities [LGBTQ+]) and attending schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices were associated with youth's self-worth. Participants were 627 youth (87% LGBQ+ youth, 45% transgender or nonbinary youth, 48% youth of color, M[subscript age] = 15.13) in 51 GSAs. Youth who reported greater involvement in advocacy over the 6-month period reported greater self-worth than others. There was also a contextual effect at the GSA level: Youth in GSAs whose members collectively reported greater advocacy reported even greater self-worth, beyond what was associated with a youth's own advocacy. Furthermore, GSA members in schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices reported greater self-worth over the study period. The findings highlight the importance of youth and school efforts to affirm the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ young people. |
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| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0002024 |
