Dbq Youth Bullying

Over the past several years, research and advocacy has stressed the urgent nature of youth bullying as a major public health problem. The matter is further emphasized with a quick look through any media source, which is sure to highlight at least one heartfelt and tragic outcome to such bullying. What is often not brought forth, is the disproportionate nature of bullying against youth identifying under the LGBTQ umbrella, and the significantly more drastic consequences. The American Public Health Association, has not only acknowledged this phenomena, but also released a policy statement, Reduction of Bullying to Address Health Disparities Among LGBT Youth, specifically addressing the matter through the lens of public health (The American Public

Furthermore, it is now understood that these damaging health consequences impact LGBTQ youth, a population already more vulnerable to health disparities, in higher rates, significantly impacting their quality of life. Besides the physical injuries that can be sustained during violent bullying, these effects can be manifested as psychosocial and psychosomatic. LGBTQ youth who are victims of bullying experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, as well as higher rates of substance use/abuse (Earnshaw et al., 2017; Earnshaw et al., 2016; Vessey et al., 2013). According to the APHA (2014), in 2013, 32.2% LGBTQ youth reported suicidal thoughts (compared to 11.7% non-LGBTQ youth) and 22.8% reported attempts to end their lives (6.6% non-LGBTQ youth). Additionally, 4% of males and 28% of female LGBTQ identifying youth described severe depressive symptoms, versus the 8% national average (APHA, 2014). Research shows that bullying during childhood alters biological mechanisms, such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, telomere growth, and immunologic functions. This is evident in the wide range of physical and psychosomatic symptoms depicted by victims, not present prior: gastrointestinal distress, headaches, decreased appetite, sleeping alterations, sore throats, cough, and hypertension (Earnshaw et al., 2016; Earnshaw et al., 2016; Vessey et al., 2013). The negative sequela are not limited to childhood, as LGBTQ victims as adults endure increased rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, high risk behaviors, and lower life satisfaction (Earnshaw et al.,