Media: A catalyst for resilience in sexual minority youth

Written By INQYR

Craig, S. L., McInroy, L.B, McCready, L.T., Alaggia, R. (2015). Media: A catalyst for resilience in sexual minority youth. Journal of LGBT Youth, 12(3), 254–275. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2015.1040193

Highlights

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth have the potential for considerable resilience.

Positive media representations may mediate negative experiences and foster self-esteem, yet the relationship between resilience and both traditional offline and new online media remains under-studied for this population.

Study Description

  • This grounded-theory exploration of media-based resilience-building activities by Canadian LGBTQ youth (n = 19), whose average age was 19.47 (SD = 1.22)

  • Results indicated four themes that were enabled through media use:

1) coping through escapism;

2) feeling stronger;

3) fighting back; and

4) finding and fostering community

Key findings

  • Media, especially online media, may be a catalyst for resilience among LGBTQ youth

  • Online engagement can aid them in making sense of the discrimination they experience in multiple life domains, fostering resilience and buffering the negative effects that lead to poor health and mental health outcomes

  • It is important to consider media within contemporary LGBTQ youth’s ecological framework to capture their resilience.

 

 
INQYR
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