Gender-Sexuality Alliance meeting experiences predict weekly variation in hope among LGBTQ+ youth

Abstract

Hope is considered a marker of resilience among youth facing oppression, including LGBTQ+ youth. This 8-week weekly diary study among 94 LGBTQ+ youth (ages 14–19; Mage = 15.91, 46% youth of color, 44% transgender or nonbinary) in 2021 considered whether a youth's meeting-to-meeting experiences in Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs; LGBTQ+ affirming school clubs) predicted subsequent hope from week to week. Youth reported greater hope on days following meetings where they felt more group support, greater advisor responsiveness, and had taken on more leadership responsibilities. Group support and advisor responsiveness were stronger predictors of a youth's hope on days closer to GSA meetings; leadership's effect was stronger when more days had elapsed. Findings suggest how GSAs may cultivate hope among LGBTQ+ youth.