Sexual Identity Development and Its Impact on Sexual Well-being: Differences Between Sexual Minority and Non-Sexual Minority Former Foster Youth

Abstract

Little is known about differences in the levels of sexual well-being, sexual identity development, or sexual health outcomes between sexual minority and non-sexual minority youth in the foster care system. Using a sample of youth formerly in the foster care system, this study compared the sexual well-being, sexual identity development, and sexual health outcomes of sexual minority and non-sexual minority youth and found that sexual minority youth have lower levels of sexual well-being, have less developed sexual identities, and experience more sexual victimization and unintended pregnancies of themselves or of a partner than their non-sexual minority peers. These results indicate that the sexuality-related needs of sexual minority youth in the foster care system are not being met. Attention to the sexual development of sexual minority youth and means through which to enhance their sexual identity development and increase their sexual well-being are needed.