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Mounting Evidence About a Hidden Population's Health Risk Behavior

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:309-310.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The article by Austin et al¹ is a valuable contribution to the increasing epidemiological evidence of elevated health and mental health problems among adolescents and young adults who have same-sex sexual attractions, have engaged in same-sex sexual behavior, and/or have identified their sexual orientation as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). This study adds to research findings showing that LGB persons, adults as well as youth, smoke tobacco at rates considerably higher than their peers.^2-3

Austin et al make both conceptual and empirical contributions in the article. The distinction between attractions, behavior, and self-identification is an important one, as adult data on sexual orientation show.⁴ Labeling oneself as LGB is ordinarily the last step in a developmental process that has its roots in later childhood and early puberty. The findings of Austin et al about adolescents who are "mostly heterosexual" demonstrate the need for a multidimensional view of adolescent sexuality. . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Anthony R. D'Augelli, PhD
Department of Human Development and Family Studies
Pennsylvania State University
105 White Bldg
University Park, PA 16802
(e-mail: ard@psu.edu)

ard@psu.edu

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