THE GAY ADOLESCENT - STRESSORS, ADAPTATIONS, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS

Social stigmatization hinders the ability of gay adolescents to achiev e the tasks of adolescence. Because their sexual identity is denigrate d by society, these youth have difficulty farming a positive identity and establishing healthy peer and intimate relationships. Family relat ions are often painful, and gay adolescents are susceptible to lonelin ess, isolation, depression, and suicide. Validation of these adolescen ts' affectional and erotic feelings helps to normalize their adolescen ce, as does providing them with a peer group of other gay youth. (C) 1 997 Elsevier Science Ltd.