Recollections of bullying at school and their long-term implications for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals

Crisis. 2004;25(4):169-75. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910.25.4.169.

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between experiences of bullying at school, adult mental health status, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress among a sample of 119 UK residents who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Participants completed a series of questionnaires that focused upon school experiences, suicide ideation at school, sexual history, relationship status and negative affect, recent positive and negative life-events, internalized homophobia, and symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress. The results suggested that posttraumatic stress was a potential issue for 17% of participants who also scored significantly higher for depression, and reported having had more casual sexual partners than their peers. However, those who were found to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress were also more accepting of their sexual orientation. A small number of participants used prescription or nonprescription drugs, or alcohol to help them cope with memories of bullying. It is suggested that posttraumatic stress may be a feature of the adult lives of men and women who experienced frequent and prolonged bullying at school as a result of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Female
  • Homosexuality, Female / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Mental Health
  • Prejudice*
  • Schools*
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • United Kingdom