Media: A Catalyst for Resilience in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth have the potential for considerable resilience. Positive media representations may mediate negative experiences and foster self-esteem, yet the relationship between resilience and both traditional offline and new online media remains under addressed for this population. This grounded-theory exploration of media-based resilience building activities by LGBTQ youth indicated four themes that media use enabled: coping through escapism; feeling stronger; fighting back; and finding and fostering community. Data are embedded to evidence thematic findings and incorporate participant voices. The importance of considering the media within contemporary LGBTQ youth’s ecological framework to capture their resilience is considered.

Categorised in: Academic Literature