LGBTQ+ advocacy and inclusive school policies are associated with self-worth among youth in gender-sexuality alliances over the school year.

2025/07/14 by V. Paul Poteat, Abigail Richburg, Jack K. Day +5 · 1 voice
Psychology · #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

paper · doi:10.1037/dev0002024

openalex publication_date 2025/07/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/04

Abstract

= 15.13) in 51 GSAs. Youth who reported greater involvement in advocacy over the 6-month period reported greater self-worth than others. There was also a contextual effect at the GSA level: Youth in GSAs whose members collectively reported greater advocacy reported even greater self-worth, beyond what was associated with a youth's own advocacy. Furthermore, GSA members in schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices reported greater self-worth over the study period. The findings highlight the importance of youth and school efforts to affirm the dignity and worth of LGBTQ+ young people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Discussions

• LGBTQ+ youth advocacy and inclusive school policies boost self-worth. Utah's bans on PRIDE flags and DEI programs eliminate supports that research shows benefit student well-being. Policy should consi [bsky, 3 points, 1 comments]

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