Experiences of Online Victimization Among LGBTQ+ Adolescents and Perceived Impacts on Mental Health and Suicide Risk

This study aimed to explore the online victimization experiences of LGBTQ+ adolescents with a lifetime history of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors and perceived impacts of online victimization on their mental health and suicide risk. Participants were 20 LGBTQ+ adolescents (ages 13–18) with histories of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. Adolescents were recruited from social media-based ads and a mental health clinic in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Brief questionnaires and semi-structured qualitative interviews were used to explore minority stress, online victimization experiences, and perceived mental health impacts. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a qualitative description approach. Interview themes were contextualized with responses to questionnaires. Questionnaires indicated all adolescents experienced at least one form of minority stress in the past year stemming from negative communication from peers or family members and/or negative climates in their schools. When asked to consider minority stressors that occur online, adolescents identified online victimization experiences spanning verbal harassment, sexual harassment, and physical threats. Adolescents perceived these experiences contributed to a range of mental health impacts: symptoms of depression and anxiety, feelings of shame and self-hatred, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Findings suggest need for further research and prevention programing for LGBTQ+ adolescents who are vulnerable to suicide.