How Stress and Resilience Impact Sleep Health Among LGBTQ+ Adolescents

Recent research published in the Journal of Adolescence highlights the significant influence of stress and resilience factors on sleep health in gender and sexual minority adolescents in the United States. The study found that LGBTQ+ youth who experienced higher levels of violence or bullying related to their gender expression or sexual orientation tended to have more difficulty falling asleep. Conversely, those who reported greater familial warmth experienced fewer sleep difficulties. Additionally, gender-based victimization, family rejection, absence of supportive school environments such as gender-sexuality alliances, and the lack of trusted adults at school were associated with trouble initiating sleep, especially among cisgender sexual minority youth. For gender minority youth, access to restrooms matching their gender identity at school was linked to better sleep outcomes. Overall, gender minority adolescents experienced slightly more sleep problems than cisgender peers, with youth assigned female at birth reporting marginally more sleep issues than those assigned male. The study emphasizes the importance of fostering safe, affirming environments at home and school to improve sleep health and overall well-being among LGBTQ+ adolescents. As lead author Will Beischel, Ph.D., from Loyola University Chicago, states, "Creating supportive environments can significantly enhance sleep quality, which is vital for healthy development." The findings suggest that targeted interventions to reduce minority stress and bolster resilience can positively influence sleep and mental health among sexual and gender minority youth.