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Introduction: This study examined sexual orientation differences in eating behaviors, physical activity, and weight status among adolescents in the U.S. Moreover, this study tested whether parental and peer influences contribute to sexual orientation disparities in adolescent eating behaviors, physical activity, BMI, and examined disparities in weight misperception.Methods: Cross-sectional data were from 1,926 adolescents who participated in the NEXT Generation Health Study in 2010-2011. Linear and multinomial logistic regressions conducted in 2017-2018 were used to test disparities and interactions with social influences.Results: Relative to their heterosexual peers, sexual minority males and females consumed fruits and vegetables more frequently; sexual minority males engaged in less frequent physical activity; and sexual minority females were more likely to be overweight, perceive themselves as overweight, and to overestimate their weight. High parental expectation for physical activity was associated with more frequent vigorous physical activity among heterosexual adolescents, but less frequent vigorous physical activity among sexual minority males. Exercising with a same-sex peer buffered against the risk of higher BMI among sexual minority females.Conclusions: Parental and peer influences may serve as potential intervention targets to reduce disparities in weight-related behaviors. Longitudinal research is needed to understand the consequences of weight misperception among sexual minority females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relative to heterosexual youth, sexual minority youth exhibit increased substance use. Risk for polysubstance use, which magnifies drug-related harms, remains largely unexamined for sexual minority youth. This investigation used a nationally-representative dataset to compare polysubstance use patterns between sexual minority and heterosexual youth.Methods: The cross-sectional 2015 CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (N = 15,624) was utilized. Latent mixture modeling empirically identified subgroups of youth based on self-reported past-month use of alcohol, cigarettes, chewing tobacco/snus/snuff, cigars/cigarillos/little cigars, e-cigarettes, marijuana, and past-month binge drinking (all dichotomized: 0 = none; 1 = at least once). Adjusting for race/ethnicity, sex, and age, the risk for being in each substance-using class, was compared between youth who self-identified as heterosexual and gay/lesbian, bisexual, or "not sure."Results: Five classes were supported: "non-users" (68.19%), "alcohol users" (13.08%; elevated alcohol use and binge drinking probabilities), "nicotine/marijuana co-users" (5.80%; elevated nicotine and marijuana use), "poly-substance/e-cigarette users" (5.35%; elevated on all substances except tobacco-containing products), and "polysubstance/tobacco users" (7.59%; elevated for all substances). Relative to heterosexual youth, gay/lesbian-identified youth were at risk of being "nicotine and marijuana co-users", bisexual youth were at risk of being in all four substance-using classes, and the "not sure" youth were at risk of being "polysubstance/tobacco users." Select disparities were larger for youth who were also female or a minority race/ethnicity.Conclusions: Sexual minority youth, particularly bisexual youth, were at increased risk relative to heterosexual youth for polysubstance use. Polysubstance use warrants attention in substance use interventions, including interventions tailored for sexual minority youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of sexual minority youth (SMY) within an integrated health care system using a standardized questionnaire. This study assessed SMY status in youth aged 12.5–18 years using a previsit Well Check questionnaire at Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities in 2016. SMY was defined as self-reported attraction to the same sex or both sexes. A total of 93,817 youth (87.3%) self-reported sexual attraction, and 5% (n = 5,329) of respondents (N = 107,532) identified as SMY: 1.7% were attracted to same sex, and 3.2% were attracted to both sexes. There were youth who responded neither (1.5%) and unsure (2.4%). Females were 2.8 times (95% confidence interval 2.6–2.94) more likely to be SMY than males. SMY status significantly increased with age. Nonwhite youth were significantly less likely to be SMY compared with white youth. This is the first study to examine SMY prevalence in pediatric primary care. Primary care providers can use previsit screening before preventive visits to identify and support sexual minority adolescents, facilitate family acceptance, and promote healthy behaviors with care coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent legislation introduced in the United States, and abroad, to restrict "conversion" or "change" therapies for clients under the age of eighteen has brought upon increasing challenges for religious and/or rejecting families of children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ), or experience unwanted same-sex attractions or gender identity conflicts. Currently, fourteen states, the District of Columbia, and forty-four cities have passed laws to prohibit such therapies, with more legislation being introduced every year. While reports of abuse and/or forced therapy with licensed clinicians are hard to verify, outcome studies on the effects of "conversion" or "change" therapy for minors have not been published in the scientific peer-reviewed literature, and even less is known about successful therapeutic interventions for religious and/or rejecting families of such youth. With the increasing scrutiny brought about by such laws, licensed mental health practitioners should consider adopting innovative models of family systems therapy in order to safely and effectively work with sexual minority youth, and their families. This article presents one such family systems therapeutic model, while also addressing several important ethical considerations for working with religious and/or rejecting families of sexual minority youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiences of racism and heterosexism are common among marginalized adolescents and young adults. Family socialization processes that aim to prepare young people for bias have been studied among racial–ethnic minority populations; however, they have not been investigated among sexual minority populations. This study examined the associations among preparation for bias related to ethnicity and sexual orientation, minority stressors (i.e., bias-based victimization and discrimination) attributed to ethnicity and sexual orientation, and well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms and self-esteem) in a sample of 236 Latinx adolescents and young adults (Mage = 19). All minority stressors were associated with poorer well-being. Preparation for bias related to ethnicity was not associated with well-being; however, preparation for bias related to sexual orientation was associated with lower self-esteem. Furthermore, preparation for bias related to sexual orientation moderated the association between bias-based victimization and depressive symptoms such that the association was only significant at high levels of preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools play an integral role in creating safe, supportive environments for students, especially for sexual minority youth (SMY). Using 2016 questionnaire data from seven high schools in a Florida school district, we obtained a sample of 1,364 SMY. Logistic regressions controlling for sex (as applicable), age, grade, race/ethnicity, and school explored differences between SMY and nonsexual minority youth (non-SMY). Sex differences related to school environment perceptions and experiences related to safety, bullying, and hearing homophobic remarks were also explored. SMY were more likely than non-SMY to report several negative school environment perceptions and experiences. Where differences existed within SMY, male SMY were more likely than female SMY to have missed school in the past 30 days (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, p = .03), report avoiding spaces at school due to safety concerns (OR = 1.38, p = .02), and report hearing homophobic remarks from teachers (OR = 2.00, p = .01). Implications for school nursing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies have shown links between minority stress and mental health (e.g., Meyer, 2003), there is little research explaining this association. Research has suggested that adequate coping skills might protect youth from the negative impact of stress (Compas et al., 2017). Thus, we aimed to examine: 1) whether associations between minority stress and depressive symptoms occurred through mechanisms of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness, and 2) whether these associations were dependent on level of problem-solving coping (moderated mediation). Using an online survey of 267 sexual minority youth from the Netherlands (16-22 years; 28.8% male), the results show an indirect relationship of sexual orientation victimization and internalized homophobia with depressive symptoms occurring through perceived burdensomeness; for both males and females. Problem-solving coping skills did not significantly moderate the aforementioned indirect relationships. These results have implications for prevention and intervention work that currently focuses on social isolation rather than perceived burdensomeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have examined how the amalgamation of minority stressors for youth with multiple marginalized identities is associated with well-being. Additionally, among youth with multiple marginalized identities, identity centrality may clarify the associations between specific types of minority stressors (i.e., bias-based peer victimization, perceived discrimination) and adjustment. This study sought to identify intersectional profiles of perceived peer victimization, perceived discrimination, and identity centrality, specific to either Latinx ethnicity or sexual minority identity in the United States. Demographic characteristics associated with each profile (i.e., age, socioeconomic status, gender nonconformity, survey language, gender, rurality) were examined, as well as associations between profiles and grade point average, self-esteem, and depression. In a sample of 219 in-school Latinx sexual minority youth (47% secondary, 53% postsecondary; Mage = 19 years, SD = 2.3), four profiles of intersectional minority stress (perceived victimization, discrimination) and identity centrality were identified: (a) low stress, low centrality; (b) low stress, high centrality; (c) moderate stress, moderate centrality, and (d) high stress, moderate centrality. Men, youth who were relatively older, socioeconomically advantaged, gender nonconforming, and those living in urban areas had higher probabilities of membership in profiles with moderate and high stress. Compared to the low stress, low centrality profile, profiles with higher levels of intersectional stress were associated with maladjustment, whereas the profile characterized by low stress, high centrality had higher levels of self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are found to be at a heightened risk for problematic health outcomes, including substance use. Sexual minority identities are concealable, multidimensional, exist on a continuum, and develop fluidly. Together, these factors are important predictors of health outcomes, yet they have been neglected in the process of sample identification in health disparity research. Inclusion criteria employed when identifying samples affects research findings and potentially biases results when crucial factors are neglected. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult (Add Health), the authors identified four samples of sexual minorities (i.e., broad self-identified, broad multidimensional, narrow self-identified, and narrow multidimensional) based on the continuum of self-identification and multidimensional factors and examined a trajectory of binge drinking predicted by various relevant factors. When the authors defined the samples using different inclusion criteria and examined the results across these samples, differences in the results emerged and fell into four main patterns: (1) sex differences, (2) differences in the average frequency and rate of change in binge drinking, (3) differences in statistical significance, and (4) Implications. Inclusion criteria alone had a significant impact on the health implications for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in this study and thus should encourage cautious interpretation and application of research on sexual minority health by care professionals. The authors discuss research implications for these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual minority adolescents are bullied more frequently than heterosexual peers. Research is lacking on their rates of general and sexual orientation bullying victimization. The present study identified (1) the rate, onset, and desistance of general and sexual orientation bullying victimization, (2) the rate of bullying victimization trajectories, and (3) risk and protective factors across trajectories. A life history calendar method and thematic analysis were employed with a sexual minority adolescent sample (N = 52, 14–20 y/o). General bullying began at age 5 and declined after age 12, with sexual orientation bullying increasing throughout adolescence. Late‐onset victim (34.6%) was the most common trajectory, followed by stable victim (28.9%), desister (23.1%), and nonvictim (13.5%). Differences in risk and protective factors were found across trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health disparities among sexual and gender minority youth likely reflect a maladaptive coping response to contexts rife with stigma messaging and discrimination. Identifying adaptive coping responses to stigma messages is thus a critical step in reducing the disparities that manifest in adolescence. Guided by the minority stress hypothesis, this secondary data analysis (N = 1821) examined self-compassion (SC) as a potential resilience-promoting response to stigma messages received from bias-based bullying. In addition to accounting for more variation in mental health disparities than bias-based bullying, general victimization, and adverse childhood experiences combined, inclusion of SC in the models dramatically attenuated the impact of bias-based bullying, and finally, rates of bias-based bullying moderated the SC’s mediational effect on mental health symptomology. Furthermore, while the average SC scores were on par with those reported in adolescence elsewhere, examination of differences across sexuality and gender status reveals that sexual and gender minority youth report significantly lower rates of self-compassion, with a medium effect size. In sum, while deficits in SC appear to explain a greater degree of variation in mental health disparities than does exposure to adversity, high SC appears to be protective although rates of bias-based bullying erode its protective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use and condomless sexual behaviours are both well studied in sexual minority men, but few researchers have used event-level data collection to examine sexualised drug use in sexual and gender minority young adults. The aim of this study is to describe the co-occurrence of sex under the influence of substances and condomless sexual behaviours, using nuanced event-level data, in a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample in New York City.Methods: Data from one wave of a cohort of sexual and gender minority young adults who were assigned male at birth (n = 500) were used to characterise co-occurrence of sex under the influence of drugs and condomless sexual behaviours (oral receptive, anal insertive, and anal receptive sex), in the last 30 days. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess associations between sex while high and condomless sexual behaviours, controlling for sociodemographic factors.Results: Preliminary analyses indicated significant associations between engaging in sex while high and condomless sexual behaviours. In unadjusted regression models, sexualised and non-sexualised drug use were both significantly associated with increased odds of condomless sexual behaviours. In adjusted models, sexualised drug use remained significantly associated with condomless anal insertive sex (AOR = 3.57) and condomless anal receptive sex (AOR = 4.98). Having multiple sexual partners was also significantly associated with greater odds of condomless sexual activity in all three adjusted models.Conclusion: Multivariable analyses indicated that engaging in sex while high on any drug was associated with increased condomless sexual behaviour, but that sexualised drug use was associated with particularly elevated condomless anal sex. These findings provide insight for understanding the co-occurrence of substance use and condomless sex, and suggest a need for HIV/STI risk reduction strategies that address the role of sexualised drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disclosing one's sexual orientation to family members can be a difficult process for sexual minority youths (SMY). There are many decisions to make and factors to consider, such as whom to tell first and how family members may react. SMY are in need of resources to help them through this process, including programs that help them to make decisions about safe disclosure. Through interviews and open-ended surveys with 48 participants, the authors found that overall, SMY want a program that helps them connect with others. There were no strong preferences for facilitators' gender, and participants differed in opinions on facilitators' sexual orientation. However, most agreed that they would like a program that provides education and the opportunity to hear from and share stories with others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression, sadness, low self-esteem, and self-harm affect a substantial number of young people in North America. However, the prevalence of these symptoms has been found to be consistently higher for sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual) populations. In this study, we traced the trends and disparities in mental health, including self-harm, forgone mental health care, good feelings, feelings of sadness, and feeling good about oneself, with provincially representative data from Canada (N = 99,373; M age = 15). We reported whether the disparities have narrowed, widened, or remained the same for sexual orientation subgroups over time. We found that though sexual minorities report higher rates of all negative mental health indicators, the disparity in self-harm for gay adolescent males compared to their heterosexual counterparts has narrowed over time. However, some disparities have widened: the gap in feeling sad has widened for sexual minorities compared to their heterosexual counterparts. These findings have implications for the efficacy of interventions and the next steps in working to ameliorate mental health issues for vulnerable sexual minority adolescents in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of runaway youth and homelessness poses significant challenges to professionals who work with at-risk populations. Sexual minority youth (SMY) are at increased risk of both running away and homelessness. When working with homeless SMY, professionals should utilize a theoretical base. Ecological System perspective provides a guide to examine the myriad systems of an individual's life. Foucault conceived stigma through the prism of power/knowledge structures that dominate social control and normalization values over society. The concepts of Ecological Systems from Bronfenbrenner and Stigma as conceptualized by Foucault offer a lens through which this social problem may be addressed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the moderating role of school violence and peer victimization on the association between sexual orientation and mental health. The sample consisted of 11,794 high school students (Mage = 16, SD = 1.23; female assigned at birth = 51%; 1.8% identified as transgender) across 23 schools. Participants completed a self-report survey that assessed sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, victimization experiences (e.g., peer and dating), perceptions of school violence and crime, as well as anxiety and suicidality. Multilevel analyses indicated that lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, and transgender (LGBTQ) individuals with lower rates of victimization had significantly lower rates of suicidality compared to LGBTQ individuals with higher rates of victimization. LGBTQ individuals in schools with high student perceptions of school violence and crime had higher suicidality than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. LGBTQ youth in schools with lower school violence and crime levels had lower rates of suicidality than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Interventions need to consider multiple forms of victimization and school environment as potential risk and protective factors for LGBTQ youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between school involvement and connectedness with measures of sexual risk, substance use, and experience of violence among students who had sexual contact with the same sex or with both sexes. Methods A sample of middle school and high school students who participated in a study conducted in a large urban school district were selected based on their reported experience of having initiated sexual activity with same-sex partners. In classroom-based surveys, we assessed self-reported involvement in school-based activities and feelings of school connectedness, as well as self-reported sexual risk, substance use, and experience of violence. Results Significant protective associations were found between school involvement and lifetime alcohol and marijuana use, and between school connectedness and ever having been in a fight, feeling safe at school, and drug use other than marijuana (all p  < .05). Conclusions Findings suggest that efforts to increase school involvement and connectedness provide a starting point for addressing significant health and safety concerns among students with same-sex sexual activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the processes and experiences associated with disclosing sexual orientation to siblings and extended family. Background: Few studies prioritize the experience of disclosing to siblings and extended family, despite its frequency and potential impact on the family unit. Extended family members often act as sources of support for youth; it is therefore worthwhile to consider whether this remains true during and after disclosure of sexual orientation. Method: Interview and questionnaire data were gathered from 22 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) youth, 14 to 21 years of age, from a large Midwestern U.S. city. Constructivist grounded theory informed the qualitative methodology and data analysis. We build on concepts of horizontal and vertical family relationships by also introducing the concept of diagonal relationships. Results: Participants described their relationships with aunts as possessing characteristics of horizontal and vertical relationships, allowing them to act as moderators and mediators of the parent–child relationship. Conclusion: The concepts of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal relationships take into consideration how the structure (e.g., hierarchy, egalitarianism, boundaries) and nature (e.g., closeness, reciprocity, mentorship) of various relationships shape the coming‐out process for LGBQ youth, without dismissing the importance of either immediate or extended family members. Implications: The emerging conceptualization can guide services and interventions as well as illuminate further research on the family systems of LGBQ youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) are overrepresented among runaway and homeless youth (RHY) and experience increased rates of sexual victimization, mental health issues, and substance use in comparison to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Additionally, some sexual minority homeless youth experience discrimination in RHY programs, indicating the importance of services tailored to their specific needs. However, we know very little about the availability of these services, particularly in transitional living programs (TLPs). This exploratory study examines the services offered by the Family and Youth Services Bureau-funded TLPs in the United States—including LGBTQ-specific services—and examines the differences between programs that offer these specific services and those that do not. Participants ( N = 124 programs) completed a survey by phone or email about their program characteristics and services; we supplemented the survey with an analysis of content on programs' websites and Facebook pages, including program descriptions, service availability, and LGBTQ-related content. Fewer than half (43.5%) of the participants reported offering LGBTQ-specific services; information regarding these services was minimally present on the agency's websites (20.2%) or Facebook pages (5.3%). These programs were more likely to be located on the West Coast or in the Northeast region, and more likely to offer counseling, support groups, and recreation or youth development activities. Our findings add to the limited body of knowledge regarding service provision in TLPs, and indicate high unmet need among this vulnerable population. We conclude with implications for social work research, policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Although sexual orientation-related alcohol use disparities are well established, researchers have not identified whether disparities are diminishing as societal attitudes towards lesbian/gay and bisexual (LGB) people become more accepting. We examined changes in four alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual and LGB youth from 1998 to 2013 by (1) estimating the prevalence of these behaviors; (2) estimating disparities in alcohol-related outcomes between heterosexual and LGB youth within each wave year; and (3) testing whether the degree of difference in alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual and LGB youth has changed. Design Logistic regression models and year × sexual orientation interactions with repeated, cross-sectional, provincially representative data. Setting British Columbia, Canada. Participants Students (ages 12-19) from the 1998 ( n = 22 858), 2003 ( n = 29 323), 2008 ( n = 25 254) and 2013 ( n = 21 938) British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (total n = 99 373, 48.7% male, mean age = 14.84). Measurements We modeled age-adjusted differences in life-time alcohol use, age of onset, past 30-day drinking and past 30-day heavy episodic drinking between heterosexual and three subgroups of sexual minority youth (i.e. mostly heterosexual, bisexual and lesbian/gay). Findings Generally, alcohol use declined for all youth, although less so among LGB youth [average adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.58 and aOR = 0.53 for heterosexual males and females and aOR = 0.71 and aOR = 0.57 for sexual minority males and females, respectively). Within-year comparisons demonstrated elevated rates of alcohol use among LGB compared with heterosexual youth for each of the four survey years, especially among females. Findings indicate few changes over time; however, results show an increase in risky alcohol use from 1998 to 2013 among mostly heterosexual (aOR = 1.58 for life-time alcohol use, aOR = 1.58 for 30-day alcohol use and aOR = 1.34 for 30-day heavy episodic drinking), and bisexual (aOR = 1.95 for life-time alcohol use) females. Conclusion Despite the general decline in the prevalence of alcohol use among young people in Canada since 1998, lesbian/gay and bisexual youth in Canada continue to show elevated rates of alcohol use compared with heterosexual youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Given sexual minority youth (SMY) are disproportionately impacted by teen dating violence (TDV), this study assessed binge drinking and depression symptoms as possible risk factors contributing to this disparity.Cross-sectional survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of SMY high school students in the United States in 2017 and 2019 through the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) (n = 3,424) was used to create 3 logistic regression models. The models estimated the associations between the exposures, binge drinking and depression symptoms, and TDV, including physical TDV, sexual TDV, or both. Additionally, we hypothesized that these associations would be stronger in SMY than heterosexual youth. Therefore, we expanded the study population to include SMY and heterosexual youth (n = 22,798) and tested for interaction.Both binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–3.8) and symptoms of depression (aOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.02) were positively associated with TDV among SMY. Additionally, binge drinking was associated with a significantly greater risk of victimization for SMY (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9–3.9) than heterosexual youth (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.0).Our results suggest that while both exposures are associated with an increased risk of both physical and sexual TDV, binge drinking may contribute to the disparate rates of dating violence impacting SMY.Methods: Given sexual minority youth (SMY) are disproportionately impacted by teen dating violence (TDV), this study assessed binge drinking and depression symptoms as possible risk factors contributing to this disparity.Cross-sectional survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of SMY high school students in the United States in 2017 and 2019 through the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) (n = 3,424) was used to create 3 logistic regression models. The models estimated the associations between the exposures, binge drinking and depression symptoms, and TDV, including physical TDV, sexual TDV, or both. Additionally, we hypothesized that these associations would be stronger in SMY than heterosexual youth. Therefore, we expanded the study population to include SMY and heterosexual youth (n = 22,798) and tested for interaction.Both binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–3.8) and symptoms of depression (aOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.02) were positively associated with TDV among SMY. Additionally, binge drinking was associated with a significantly greater risk of victimization for SMY (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9–3.9) than heterosexual youth (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.0).Our results suggest that while both exposures are associated with an increased risk of both physical and sexual TDV, binge drinking may contribute to the disparate rates of dating violence impacting SMY.Results: Given sexual minority youth (SMY) are disproportionately impacted by teen dating violence (TDV), this study assessed binge drinking and depression symptoms as possible risk factors contributing to this disparity.Cross-sectional survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of SMY high school students in the United States in 2017 and 2019 through the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) (n = 3,424) was used to create 3 logistic regression models. The models estimated the associations between the exposures, binge drinking and depression symptoms, and TDV, including physical TDV, sexual TDV, or both. Additionally, we hypothesized that these associations would be stronger in SMY than heterosexual youth. Therefore, we expanded the study population to include SMY and heterosexual youth (n = 22,798) and tested for interaction.Both binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–3.8) and symptoms of depression (aOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.02) were positively associated with TDV among SMY. Additionally, binge drinking was associated with a significantly greater risk of victimization for SMY (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9–3.9) than heterosexual youth (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.0).Our results suggest that while both exposures are associated with an increased risk of both physical and sexual TDV, binge drinking may contribute to the disparate rates of dating violence impacting SMY.Conclusions: Given sexual minority youth (SMY) are disproportionately impacted by teen dating violence (TDV), this study assessed binge drinking and depression symptoms as possible risk factors contributing to this disparity.Cross-sectional survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of SMY high school students in the United States in 2017 and 2019 through the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) (n = 3,424) was used to create 3 logistic regression models. The models estimated the associations between the exposures, binge drinking and depression symptoms, and TDV, including physical TDV, sexual TDV, or both. Additionally, we hypothesized that these associations would be stronger in SMY than heterosexual youth. Therefore, we expanded the study population to include SMY and heterosexual youth (n = 22,798) and tested for interaction.Both binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–3.8) and symptoms of depression (aOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.02) were positively associated with TDV among SMY. Additionally, binge drinking was associated with a significantly greater risk of victimization for SMY (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9–3.9) than heterosexual youth (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.0).Our results suggest that while both exposures are associated with an increased risk of both physical and sexual TDV, binge drinking may contribute to the disparate rates of dating violence impacting SMY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]