Youth bullying because of perceived sexual orientation widespread and damaging

Bullying because of perceived sexual orientation is widely prevalent among school-aged youths, according to a study led by Dr. Donald Patrick, professor of health services at the UW School of Public Health. The study was published online May 16 in the American Journal of Public Health. The research team analyzed responses collected in 2010 from more than 24,000 youths in a Washington state survey conducted in public school grades eight through 12. The study found that 14%, 11%, and 9% of male students in grades 8, 10, and 12 grades respectively reported being bullied because of perceived sexual orientation. For female students in those grades, the numbers were 11%, 10%, and 6% respectively. "These findings underscore the need for early prevention efforts before 10^th grade," wrote the authors. Being bullied because of perceived sexual orientation was linked to lower quality of life scores and increased the odds of depressed mood or consideration of suicide.