Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth within in welfare: Prevalence, risk and outcomes

The purpose of this study was to estimate the population of sexual minority or LGB (lesbian, gay and bisexual) children and youth involved with the child welfare system, and to compare their health, mental health, placement and permanency outcomes to those of non-LGB youth. Data were drawn from the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Child abuse & neglect 2018-06, Vol.80, p.183-193
Main Authors: Dettlaff, Alan J., Washburn, Micki, Carr, Lynley “Christian”, Vogel, Alicia “Nikki”
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescents
Bisexuality
Child abuse & neglect
Child placement
Child welfare
Children
Disparities
Foster care
Gays & lesbians
Health problems
Health status
Homosexuality
Lesbianism
LGB youth
Mental health
Mental health services
National Surveys
NSCAW
Polls & surveys
Risk factors
Sexual orientation
State Surveys
Well being
Youth
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to estimate the population of sexual minority or LGB (lesbian, gay and bisexual) children and youth involved with the child welfare system, and to compare their health, mental health, placement and permanency outcomes to those of non-LGB youth. Data were drawn from the Second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW-II), a nationally representative sample of children who were referred to child welfare due to a report of abuse or neglect over a fifteen month period. This sample included youth ages eleven and older who self-identified their sexual orientation (n = 1095). Results indicate that approximately 15.5% of all system involved youth identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, and that lesbian and bisexual females, and LGB youth of color are both overrepresented within child welfare systems. Although no substantive difference in risk factors, permanency and placement were found between LGB and Non-LGB youth, LGB youth were significantly more likely to meet the criteria for adverse mental health outcomes. Implications for child welfare practice and policy are presented, along with recommendations for future research in this area.
ISSN:0145-2134
1873-7757
DOI:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03.009