Sexual minority youth in
military families have a unique set of stressors that affect their mental,
emotional, and physical health. There is a pronounced gap in data addressing
the specific stressors of this population and how they interact to impact the
health of the adolescent.
The culture of the United States military has
historically been heterosexist and homophobic, propelled primarily by policies
that restricted the recruitment and service of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or
transgender individuals, leading to a continued secrecy around sexual
orientation that may affect how sexual minority youth within the community view
themselves.
Homophobia, social stigma, and victimization lead to significant health
disparities among sexual minority youth, and youth connected to the military
have additional stressors as a result of frequent moves, parental deployment,
and general military culture.
Primary care providers must be aware of these
stressors to provide a safe environment, thorough screening, and competent care
for these adolescents.
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By:
Correspondence: Ashley N. Gyura, BSN, RN, School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY.
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