Publication Date
1-18-2026
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Adolescence
DOI
10.1002/jad.70111
Abstract
Introduction: Many LGBTQ+ youth seek support from adults at school, which can include advisors of Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs; clubs affirming LGBTQ+ youth). Little research has considered how efficacious advisors feel to support LGBTQ+ GSA members, or how advisors' efficacy contributes to LGBTQ+ youth's school experiences. Methods: We examined advisors' self-efficacy to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth (n = 30 advisors in 30 schools/GSAs; Mage = 44.74 years, SD = 10.55; 63% LGBQ+; 90% cisgender; 77% White). Utilizing three waves of data from 310 LGBTQ+ youth in these GSAs (Mage = 15.11 years, SD = 1.60; 98% LGBQ+; 55% trans/nonbinary; 50% youth of color), we analyzed three-level multilevel models to test whether LGBTQ+ youth in GSAs whose advisors reported greater LGBTQ+ self-efficacy reported more positive experiences within their GSA and in school over 6 months. Results: Advisors felt competent supporting LGBTQ+ youth, though responses on individual items covered the full range. LGBTQ+ youth in GSAs whose advisors reported greater LGBTQ+ self-efficacy at the beginning of the study felt that their advisors were more responsive to their needs, perceived a more open and respectful climate in their GSA, and felt greater school belonging over the study period. Advisor LGBTQ+ self-efficacy did not predict youth′s reported levels of victimization over the study period. Conclusions: Findings highlight that efficacious GSA advisors could promote safe and inclusive GSAs and schools for LGBTQ+ youth at a time when LGBTQ+ youth face heightened structural oppression, while indicating the need for professional development to enhance advisor efficacy.
Funding Number
R305A190165
Funding Sponsor
Institute of Education Sciences
Keywords
gender-sexuality alliances, LGBTQ+ youth, school belonging, social support, victimization
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Child and Adolescent Development
Recommended Citation
V. Paul Poteat, Arthur Lipkin, Cayley C. Bliss, Jonquil Rumberger, Zhengyang Zhong, and Robert A. Marx. "Adult Advisor Efficacy to Support LGBTQ+ Youth as a Predictor of LGBTQ+ Youth's Experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and at School" Journal of Adolescence (2026). https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.70111
