Age moderates the relationship between source of social support and mental health in racial minority lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth.

ABSTRACT

We examined the relationship between source of social support and mental health (and the moderating impact of age) in 64 low socioeconomic status, racial minority lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents/young adults. Social support from family ( ß = -.302, p = .03; ß = -.364, p = .008), but not friends or significant others, was independently related to posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms, respectively. Family social support was associated with lower posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms in participants aged 16-19 years, while friend social support was associated with lower symptoms for participants aged over 20 years. Friend social support was also associated with lower posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in participants aged 16-17 years. Interventions should target age-appropriate sources of social support.