Research Spotlight: Gender-Sexuality Alliance Clubs Can Promote Youth Empowerment

A study published in Child Development highlights the importance of Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in promoting positive mental health and self-empowerment in youth. GSA members who were more involved in the clubs over a school year were more likely to feel greater acceptance from peers and have increased hope and ability to encourage social justice. In addition, students who were more engaged in GSAs were less likely to show signs of depression or anxiety, and members of GSAs that held more meetings and discussions on mental health had fewer concerns about the topic. By fostering youth self-empowerment, active GSAs can help counteract the elevated risk of mental health challenges in marginalized groups.