Childhood adversities among self-identified LGBT+ students.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of childhood adversities among self-identified LGBT+ students.

METHOD: Descriptive, cross-sectional study based on the Pesquisa Estadual de Saúde do Adolescente Capixaba (PESC) [State Survey on Adolescent Health of Espírito Santo], conducted in 63 public and private high schools in the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The sample comprised 949 LGBT+ adolescents aged 14 to 19 years, selected through stratified probabilistic sampling. Data collection took place between March and December 2023, using the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), adapted and validated for Brazil. Statistical analyses included absolute and relative frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

A high prevalence of emotional abuse (78.6%), physical abuse (55.2%), and sexual abuse (49.8%) was found, along with exposure to family violence (78.8%), and parental separation or divorce (57.4%). Exposure to violence was significant both at home and in the community, with 45.1% of adolescents reporting witnessing beatings outside the home and 21.2% living with someone who had been incarcerated.

CONCLUSION

The adversities experienced by this population underscore their vulnerability and the negative impacts on psychological and social development. Such experiences reflect the effects of structural LGBT+ phobia, reinforcing the urgent need for inclusive public policies and support programs to promote equity and reduce long-term harm.