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Contextualizing Gay‐Straight Alliances: Student, Advisor, and Structural Factors Related to Positive Youth Development Among Members
Author(s) -
Poteat V. Paul,
Yoshikawa Hirokazu,
Calzo Jerel P.,
Gray Mary L.,
DiGiovanni Craig D.,
Lipkin Arthur,
MundyShephard Adrienne,
Perrotti Jeff,
Scheer Jillian R.,
Shaw Matthew P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.12289
Subject(s) - lesbian , psychology , attendance , psychological resilience , ethnic group , positive youth development , multilevel model , demographics , social psychology , developmental psychology , demography , sociology , machine learning , anthropology , computer science , psychoanalysis , economics , economic growth
Gay‐straight alliances ( GSA s) may promote resilience. Yet, what GSA components predict well‐being? Among 146 youth and advisors in 13 GSA s (58% lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning; 64% White; 38% received free/reduced‐cost lunch), student (demographics, victimization, attendance frequency, leadership, support, control), advisor (years served, training, control), and contextual factors (overall support or advocacy, outside support for the GSA ) that predicted purpose, mastery, and self‐esteem were tested. In multilevel models, GSA support predicted all outcomes. Racial/ethnic minority youth reported greater well‐being, yet lower support. Youth in GSA s whose advisors served longer and perceived more control and were in more supportive school contexts reported healthier outcomes. GSA advocacy also predicted purpose. Ethnographic notes elucidated complex associations and variability as to how GSA s operated.