Oppression-based stressors, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among a national sample of queer adolescents of color

J Trauma Stress. 2026 Apr 22. doi: 10.1002/jts.70069. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oppression-based stressors (OBS; e.g., heterosexism-based stressors) are associated with a higher risk of trauma-related symptoms and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) for queer (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual) adolescents. However, prior research has yet to examine posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and SITB in the context of the unique, intersectional OBS experienced by queer adolescents who are also Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC). This study examined the associations among intersectional OBS, PTSS, and SITB and tested identity outness as a potential moderator of these associations. A national sample of 1,009 queer BIPOC adolescents (M_age = 15.97 years, SD = 0.93; 62.0% cisgender girls, 50.1% plurisexual) was recruited online. After accounting for sociodemographic characteristics and overall perceived stress, OBS, β = .08, and identity outness, β = .08, were significantly associated with higher PTSS. OBS and identity outness were also associated with a higher likelihood of endorsing all three suicide outcomes (suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts), adjusted odds ratios (aORs) = 1.35 and 1.55, respectively, as well as a higher likelihood of nonsuicidal self-injury, aORs = 1.22 and 1.21. Identity outness did not serve as a moderator in the associations among OBS, PTSS, and SITB. The findings suggest that intersectional OBS may serve as a risk factor for PTSS and severe levels of SITB among queer BIPOC adolescents. Further research is needed to identify the unique role of outness among queer BIPOC adolescents and additional factors that may protect against the negative mental health outcomes associated with OBS.

PMID:42021496 | DOI:10.1002/jts.70069