Parents should be aware of the common symptoms of anxiety. Teenagers may experience symptoms of anxiety that include irritability, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and reoccurring stomach pain (Miller, 2023). Other symptoms that a parent may notice include avoiding trying new things, abandoning social activities, lower grades in school than normal, and being overly sensitive to criticism (Miller, 2023). These symptoms are common in all teenagers, but it is important to realize that sexual minority teenagers also endure minority stressors that can increase the severity of anxiety. Minority stressors can include discrimination, internalized stigma about their sexual identity, and expecting prejudice or rejection (Shearer et al., 2016). As a parent, it is important to realize that your sexual minority child who has come out is now subject to a lot more stress than other heterosexual children, or even heterosexual adults. Finally, even parents who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community must educate themselves on minority stress in sexual minority adolescents because the stressors can differ from those experienced by sexual minority adults (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2015).
Sexual minority adolescents also have some different coping methods than those of sexual minority adults. Sexual minority girls usually cope using cognitive self-talk which is basically repeating positive affirmations and reminders to oneself inside your head (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2015). This can help calm anxiety surrounding coming out or experiencing discrimination or harassment. Sexual minority girls will also often cope by not coming out to their family members or parents (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2015). However, if a child’s parents are supportive and they have come out to them or they have an LGBTQ+ family member they can talk to, this can create a positive coping mechanism for the child (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2015).
Family support and acceptance are extremely important for a sexual minority adolescent’s well-being and mental health. When a parent or family member does not show acceptance or support towards their sexual minority child, it can vastly hurt their well-being and mental health. Some behaviors that a parent needs to avoid when interacting with their sexual minority child include not allowing them to spend time with their LGBTQ+ friends or go to LGBTQ+ events, trying to force their child to fit into the normal heterosexual stereotypes and roles, and making their child keep their sexual identity a secret (Ryan, 2009). All of these behaviors and many more can do serious harm to a sexual minority child and their mental health.
When a child has family acceptance and support, however, they show higher self-esteem and overall mental and physical health (Ryan et al., 2010). This is because the strength of a child’s social support system is very important to their mental health. Furthermore, sexual minority children who are experiencing mental health problems or anxiety can often have low self-esteem, but if a child feels supported and loved by their family, this will help them love and care about themselves more too (Ryan, 2009). Some behaviors that a parent of a sexual minority child should partake in include having conversations about their sexual identity, showing them affection and acceptance when they disclose their sexual identity, standing up and advocating for their child when they are being mistreated or discriminated against, and finding LGBTQ+ events and resources for their child (Ryan, 2009). It can also be helpful to find either another family member or LGBTQ+ adult who can act as a role model and support for your sexual minority child (Ryan, 2009). Overall, the biggest takeaway from all this information is that the best way to protect your sexual minority child’s well-being and mental health is to love, support, and accept them.