Keywords

LGBTQ Adolescents, Pediatric Healthcare, Primary Care

Abstract

LGBTQ+ adolescents face significant inequities in healthcare access and health outcomes, yet little is known about how they engage with routine pediatric care, where parental presence and clinician dynamics often influence their ability to access affirming services. While prior research has emphasized the importance of inclusive environments and clinician communication, few studies center the voices of LGBTQ+ youth in clinical settings. This study explored how LGBTQ+ adolescents manage sexual/gender identity disclosure, trust, and communication with primary care clinicians. This study draws on data from The VIBES Study: Viewpoints on Improving Bonds Between Health Experts and Sexual and Gender Minority Youth. Using semi- structured telephone interviews with 23 LGBTQ+ adolescents aged 14–17, this qualitative study employed thematic analysis to identify key strategies LGBTQ+ youth use to navigate primary care, that is, how they manage disclosure, assess trust, and make decisions within clinical settings to access affirming care. Five major themes emerged: selective sexual/gender identity disclosure, actively seeking affirming clinicians, utilizing private time for sensitive conversations, educating clinicians, and leveraging external resources for health information. These findings highlight the emotional labor LGBTQ+ adolescents undertake to manage their care and underscore the need for clinicians to build trust, demonstrate cultural humility, and maintain clinical competence. This study contributes to broader efforts to reduce health inequities among LGBTQ+ youth by offering concrete insights into how pediatric clinicians can create safer, more affirming healthcare environments for this population.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Carter, Shannon

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology

Thesis Discipline

Sociology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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