Graduate Program
School Psychology
Degree Name
Specialist in School Psychology
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Assege HaileMariam
Thesis Committee Member
Ronan Bernas
Thesis Committee Member
Linda Leal
Abstract
School-based support as a mediator between the relationship of homophobic bullying during high school and depression later on was examined retrospectively using a sample of 195 participants who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning. Participants were recruited from a Midwestern state via email and social networking sites through their college campus' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender campus groups. The survey was conducted online and used the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale to measure depression symptoms. The modified version of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network's Community Climate survey was used to measure schoolbased support and homophobic bullying. Results showed that school-based support was not a full or partial mediator for the relationship between homophobic bullying and lateron depression. However, results indicated that participants who experienced the most homophobic bullying reported significantly more symptoms of depression. Also, participants who reported the highest frequency of homophobic bullying reported significantly more school-based support. Additionally, male participants reported significantly more homophobic bullying than female participants. Finally, although the proposed model was not conclusive, further evidence is still needed to explore the impact of school-based support on the well-being of sexual minority youth.
Recommended Citation
Henkelman, Jamie, "School-Based Support As A Mediator Between Homophobic Bullying And Depression In Sexual Minority Youth" (2011). Masters Theses. 622.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/622
