exual orientation and their responses to these stresses.
The research indicated that awareness of sexual orientation typically occurred at age 10 years, but disclosure to another person did not occur until about age 16 years. Also, there was a good deal of variability in sexual behavior, and many youths reported both same-sex and opposite-sex experiences.
Although most young people in D'Augelli and Hershberger's (1993) study had told at least one family member about their sexual orientation, there remained much concern about family reactions. Suicide attempts were acknowledged by 42 percent of the sample.
Savin-Williams (1994) reports that a common theme identified in empirical studies and clinical reports of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths is the chronic stress that is created by the verbal and physical abuse they receive from peers and adults. This response to gay male, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents by significant others in their environment is often associated with several problematic outcomes, including school
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