[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth in the Education System: Applying the Agent Based Approach (ABA)

Blu U, 2024, Journal of Systems Thinking 4(1):1-17 — Public Health

Patterns: [Distinctions](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/distinctions), [Relationships](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/relationships)

## In short

Uses the Agent Based Approach to analyze the systems in schools that affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

## What they found (results)

The mental health of LGBTQ+ youth is a complex adaptive system; the analysis situates their significantly elevated depression and suicide risk within school-system structures, in the context of proposed Title IX protections.

## What they set out to do (purpose)

A paper applying the Agent-Based Approach to the mental-health crisis of LGBTQ+ youth in the education system.

## Abstract

The mental health crisis of LGBTQ+ youth is a real problem with a lot of contributing factors. A meta-analysis conducted in 2011 showed that the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth and risk of depression or suicidality is far higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers by a rate of 2.92. Further more, CDC data shows that regardless of sex, LGB adolescents are at significantly higher risk of suicide. This paper uses a Systems Thinking-focused Agent Based Approach (ABA) to discuss and analyze the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) of the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth in the education system. It also analyzes these systems that have an adverse effect on LGBTQ+ youth in a time where newly proposed Title IX amendments have the potential to grant Title IX protections to sexual orientation and gender identity within the education system.

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.000003.v1)