Asking kids directly is best for determining if they're LGBTQ+

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-09-26 01:00

Australia; NSW; VIC; WA

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Commonly used research measures aimed at identifying queer and gender-diverse children and teens should not be used to make assumptions, according to Australian researchers who say direct conversations with the child are likely to be more accurate. The researchers followed a cohort of over 1,000 children from birth up to age 27, asking the participants, their parents, and their teachers questions about their conformity to gender roles at various points in their lives taken from checklists commonly used to measure gender diversity in children. The researchers say that while reported gender non-conformity even in early childhood is linked with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, many children who are not gender diverse or are heterosexual don't conform with gender roles, and direct conversations with young people about how they feel are likely to give a more accurate picture.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Sydney

Funder: The Raine Study antenatal data collection and Gen1 and Gen2 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, 8-, and 10-year follow-ups were supported in part by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The National Health and Medical Research Council also provided funding for the Gen2 14-year follow-up (project grant 211912 and program grant 003209), Gen2 17-year follow-up (program grant 353514), and Gen2 27-year follow-up (project grants 1102106 and 1109057). The core management of the Raine Study is funded by The University ofWestern Australia, Curtin University, Telethon Kids Institute, Women and Infants Research Foundation, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, The University of Notre Dame Australia, and the Raine Medical Research Foundation. Dr Marino is supported by grant APP 1134984 from the National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health and project grant 1161445 from the National Health and Medical Research Council . Dr Lin is supported by grant 2010063 from the National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership Fellowship.

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