Roberts, Savannah R.2023-01-232023-01-232022https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/32122Objective: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to disordered eating, yet existing research has primarily considered their experiences under a singular “LGBTQ+” umbrella. The current study considers how general psychological factors (depressive symptoms, stress, and self-esteem) and SGM-specific factors (adolescents’ feelings about their SGM identity) are associated with disordered eating. Additionally, we examine whether these factors differently affect sexual minority and gender minority adolescents. Method: SGM adolescents in the United States (N = 8,814; 65.0% sexual minority; 43.7% cisgender female; 66.9% White; Mage = 15.6 years) reported their disordered eating, depressive symptoms, stress, self-esteem, and feelings about their SGM identity on an anonymous, online survey. Results: Transmasculine adolescents reported the highest rates of caloric restriction, taking diet pills, purging, and binge eating; transfeminine adolescents reported the highest rates of taking laxatives. Depressive symptoms and stress were risk factors for disordered eating, whereas self-esteem served as a protective factor. Positive feelings about one’s SGM identity were associated with lower odds of caloric restriction and purging only among gender minority adolescents. Openness about one’s SGM identity was associated with lower odds of binge eating only among sexual minority adolescents. Discussion: This study is among the first to consider how SGM-specific factors influence SGM adolescents’ likelihood to engage in disordered eating. Findings highlight important differences in the development of disordered eating between sexual and gender minority youth. Results suggest that clinicians working with SGM youth consider how improving adolescents’ feelings about their SGM identity may reduce risk for disordered eating.Sexual and gender minorityLGBTQ+Disordered eatingSelf-esteemStressThesis13638280192022-09-21en