Depressive symptoms among Hong Kong adolescents: Relation to atypical sexual feelings and behaviors, gender dissatisfaction, pubertal timing, and family and peer relationships

T. H. Lam, Sunita M. Stewart, Gabriel M. Leung, Peter W H Lee, Joy P S Wong, L. M. Ho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

A representative community sample of Hong Kong boys (n = 1,024) and girls (n = 1,403), age 14-18 years, provided information regarding same-sex attraction, gender dissatisfaction, pubertal timing, early experience with sexual intercourse, and depressive symptoms. They also rated the quality of their family and peer relationships and self-perceived attractiveness. Depressive symptoms were higher in youths reporting same-sex attraction, gender dissatisfaction, early pubertal maturation, and early sexual intercourse. Family relationships were less satisfactory for those who reported same-sex attraction, gender dissatisfaction, and early sexual intercourse, and peer relationships were also worse for those who reported gender dissatisfaction. In multivariate analyses, same-sex attraction, early sexual intercourse, and early pubertal maturation were unique and direct contributors to depressive symptoms; however, gender dissatisfaction's association with depressive symptoms was largely accounted for by shared correlations with negative family and peer relationships. The multivariate model explained 11% of the variance of depressive symptoms. These findings offer a preliminary documentation of the prevalence and correlates of atypical sexual self-assessments and behavior among adolescents in Hong Kong. Such information is important if theories of sexual identity and risk factors for depressive symptoms are to have cross-cultural utility.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)487-496
Number of pages10
JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior
Volume33
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • depression
  • gender dissatisfaction
  • same-sex attraction
  • sexuality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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