Huang-Chi Lin
Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huei-Fan Hu
Department of Psychiatry, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan.
Mu-Hong Chen
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Nai-Ying Ko
Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Ray C. Hsiao
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, & Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States.
Chia-Nan Yen
Department of Psychiatry, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Tainan, Taiwan.
Cheng-Fang Yen
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Background: Homophobic harassment can compromise mental health of sexual minority youths. Objectives: This study examined the rates of persistent and multisite homophobic harassment and their associations with school difficulties during childhood and adolescence among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisements on the Facebook, Bulletin Board Systems, and the home pages of health promotion and counseling centers for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. The experiences of traditional and cyber harassment based on gender role nonconformity and sexual orientation of 500 gay or bisexual men were examined. The associations of multisite and persistent harassment victimization with school difficulties were evaluated. Results: A total of 239 (47.8%) and 131 (26.2%) participants experienced persistent and multisite harassment victimization, respectively. Harassment victimization was significantly associated with low satisfaction with academic performance in any stage of study. Moreover, the participants who were harassed in senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those who were not harassed. The victims of multisite harassment at senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those of school-only harassment. Discussion: Prevention and intervention programs are warranted to reduce homophobic harassment in sexual minority youths.
Keywords:Sexual minority, homophobia, harassment, gender role nonconformity, sexual orientation.