Social Service Needs of Lesbian and Gay Adolescents

Abstract

Lesbian and gay adolescents begin to explore their social and sexual identities in environments which are generally unfavorable to the development of positive self-esteem. Little is known about how these adolescents face this challenge. This survey of lesbian and gay adolescents explores the nature and extent of their psychosocial problems and the persons and resources to whom they turned for help. Social service needs centered on the issues of identity management, depression, limited resources for getting help, and getting along with family members.