Youth who share similar social positions of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender have much greater levels of emotional distress if they have experienced bias-based bullying — defined as racist, homophobic or transphobic bullying — according to a new study from University of Minnesota researchers.

The study, published in Pediatrics, analyzed 2019 Minnesota Student Survey data on more than 80,000 students in grades 9 and 11.

“We hear a lot about mental health disparities affecting minority youth, and a common misinterpretation is that ‘those kids’ have problems. This study really shows that when kids are harassed or bullied for just being who they are — that’s the problem, that’s where we need to make changes,” said Marla Eisenberg, ScD, MPH, a professor at the U of M Medical School and faculty with the School of Public Health.

The research team used models to identify rates of depression, anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. They found the level of emotional distress was as much as 60% lower among adolescents with the same social positions but no bias-based bullying experience.

The findings suggest bias-based bullying is a contributing factor to emotional distress among youth with multiple marginalized social positions. The authors suggest bias-based bullying is an important point for intervention and mitigation of mental health disparities, particularly among LGBTQ+ adolescents.

The research team is planning to conduct additional research on ways to prevent bias-based bullying and support diverse youth, particularly through schools and social media.

This research was supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

Eisenberg is a Professor in Pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health at the UMN Medical School, and also holds a faculty position at the School of Public Health, where she is also an alum. She received a Master of Public Health from the UMN School of Public Health.