Stilwell, S. M., Scott, B. A., & Morman, K. M. (2026). High School Victimization Trends by Racial and Sexual Identity: Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2015–2023. International Journal of LGBTQ+ Youth Studies, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/29968992.2026.2663165
Abstract
School-based victimization remains a pervasive issue, significantly impacting the well-being and academic success of students across the United States. Rates of SBV disproportionately affect youth from marginalized racial and sexual minority (LGBQ+) identities, defined here as students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, or other. Youth with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., Black and Lesbian) may face heightened rates of school-based victimization, compounding the risks associated with school environments. Using an intersectionality framework, this study analyzes five waves (2015–2023) of the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the relationships between student racial and sexual identities and school-based victimization to demonstrate trends over time. For racial minority LGBQ+ students, this issue is particularly alarming due to the compounding effects of discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization they experience. This research further integrates social determinants of health, highlighting the importance of addressing school-based victimization to safeguard the mental, emotional, and physical health of racial minority LGBQ+ students. Results demonstrate that aggregate trends for individual school-based victimization items are not universally present among all intersecting identities, suggesting a need for intersectional approaches to research and programming to create inclusive and equitable learning environments that foster educational growth and positive youth development for all students.
Keywords:
School-based victimization, youth risk behavior survey, racial identity, sexual identity, intersectionality