The Urgent Need for Research and Interventions to Address Family-Based Stigma and Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth

PURPOSE: This scoping study sought to provide an overview of existing interventions, programs and policies that address family-based stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ youth.

METHODS: A keyword search in three online databases identified relevant scientific publications. Because it located a relatively small number of peer-reviewed publications, additional grey literature references were included, identified through consultation with specialists and through anonymous peer-review. Research, policies and interventions were categorized using an adapted ecological framework.

RESULTS: There is very little peer-reviewed research on interventions to reduce family stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ youth. Most on-going work to improve family environments for LGBTQ youth appears to be currently conducted by city governments and non-governmental organizations. Very few interventions or programs provide any outcome data. Theoretical frameworks and approaches vary widely.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the widely recognized importance of a supportive family environment for a healthy transition to adulthood for LGBTQ youth, there is an urgent need for scientific research on policies and interventions to address stigma and discrimination and create supportive environments within families. Tackling family-based stigma and discrimination will require interventions and policies at each level of the ecological framework, including individual- and interpersonal-level interventions as well as community-level programs and structural-level policymaking.