American LGBTIQ+ youth using waived or parent/guardian informed consent: investigating social support and life satisfaction

American LGBTIQ+ youth using waived or parent/guardian informed consent: investigating social support and life satisfaction
Research Article
Sarah Kiperman, Emily Srisarajivakul, Carrie E. Lorig, Carla Kevern
Journal of LGBT Youth, 4 December 2023
Abstract
Minimal research in the United States has investigated how LGBTIQ+ youth who use waived consent– an ethical research method that facilitates inclusion for minors when informed consent poses a barrier– differ from LGBTIQ+ youth who can acquire consent from their parent(s)/guardian(s). The current study surveyed N = 313 American LGBTIQ+ youth, where n = 173 used waived consent and n = 92 used parent consent to participate. Researchers explored how these youth compared regarding their life satisfaction and support experiences across parents/guardians, teachers, close friends, classmates, and people at school. Differences were also investigated using MANOVAs and t-tests among n = 149 cisgender and n = 164 gender diverse (e.g., transgender, genderqueer, gender-nonconforming) LGBTIQ+ youth. While overall life satisfaction was similar among youth with waived and parent consent as well as among youth identifying as cisgender and gender diverse, youth who used parent consent perceived having greater support from their parents/guardians, people at school, and classmates compared to youth who used waived consent. Gender diverse youth reported significantly lower levels of support from parents, classmates, and people at school compared to their cisgender peers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.