Adult Advisor Efficacy to Support LGBTQ+ Youth as a Predictor of LGBTQ+ Youth's Experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAS) and at School
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| Title: | Adult Advisor Efficacy to Support LGBTQ+ Youth as a Predictor of LGBTQ+ Youth's Experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAS) and at School |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | V. Paul Poteat (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Adolescence. 2026 98(3):965-977. |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305A190165 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | LGBTQ People, Self Efficacy, Clubs, Social Support Groups, Faculty Advisers, Student Needs, Safety, Inclusion, Social Bias, Educational Environment, Sense of Belonging, Secondary Schools |
| Geographic Terms: | Massachusetts, California, New York (New York) |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jad.70111 |
| ISSN: | 0140-1971 1095-9254 |
| 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; M[subscript age] = 44.74 years, SD = 10.55; 63% LGBQ+ ; 90% cisgender; 77% White). Utilizing three waves of data from 310 LGBTQ+ youth in these GSAs (M[subscript age] = 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. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1501576 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| 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; M[subscript age] = 44.74 years, SD = 10.55; 63% LGBQ+ ; 90% cisgender; 77% White). Utilizing three waves of data from 310 LGBTQ+ youth in these GSAs (M[subscript age] = 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. |
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| ISSN: | 0140-1971 1095-9254 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jad.70111 |
