News.NewAmericanMedia.org – New America Media, News Report, Viji Sundaram,
San Francisco – Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth whose families have rejected them because of their sexual orientation are at far greater risk for mental and physical health problems than those who come from families who have accepted them, according to a recent study.
“For the first time in the world, research has established a predictive link between specific negative family reactions to their child’s sexual orientation and serious health problems for these adolescents in young adulthood, such as depression, illegal drug use, risk for HIV infection and suicide attempts,” said Caitlin Ryan, lead author and researcher of the study titled, “Family Rejection as a Predictor of Negative Health Outcomes in White and Latino Gay and Bisexual Young Adults.”