Does it Get Better?: Childhood Bullying and the Positive Mental Health of LGBT Canadians in Adulthood

Globally, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals are a highly discriminated group. Few academics have explored whether LGBTQ youth who experience discrimination can “get better”, especially with respect to their positive mental health. Using minority stress theory, the current study explored whether there was a long-term relationship between childhood bullying and positive mental health in adulthood among LGBTQ individuals. The results suggest that there was a negative long-term relationship, wherein participants bullied in childhood displayed lower levels of positive mental health in adulthood. Suggestions for practices to promote positive mental health among LGBTQ individuals are then discussed, followed by suggestions for future research.