Teens that identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual are bullied two to three times more than heterosexuals, according to a new study.
The study, conducted by doctors at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH), concluded that such youth are more vulnerable to a variety of physical and mental bullying. Even older adolescents reported being bullied.
Researchers examined the relationship between sexual orientation and bullying from the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), an on-going study of American adolescents, which included information on more than 7,500 adolescents.
The study also showed that youth identifying themselves as gay or lesbian were less likely to bully others and more likely to report being bullied than heterosexual teens.
"There is a need for health care professionals, and others who work with children, to be aware that sexual minority youth are more likely to be victims of bullying and other forms of violence," said Elise Berlan, who led the study.
Berlan, a physician in the adolescent medicine at the NCH, said "parents should also take time to communicate with their children about sensitive topics such as sexuality, peer relations and violence".
Children that are different from the social norm, (even if they are not part of sexual minority), often become targets of social isolation, harassment and bullying, said an NCH release.
Recommended strategies to identify this type of abusive behaviour include encouraging clinicians to routinely inquire about sexual orientation and their experiences with bullying, interpersonal violence and abuse; screening sexual minority youth for depression, suicidal tendencies and involvement in high-risk behaviours, etc.
The study is available online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.