Class

Article

College

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology Department

Faculty Mentor

Jayme Walters

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health disparities as a marginalized population yet their service needs are understudied in rural Utah communities. This research project seeks to assess current health and social support services for LGBTQ+ youth and families living in Box Elder County, Utah. This project is coordinated by the Transforming Communities Institute and takes a community-based approach involving the collaborative efforts of community partners, graduate students and their faculty supervisors in the Department of Social Work, and TCI staff. Using the Theory of Change as a framework, the research process started with a community-identified issue followed by developing a context for the research, identifying research questions, and determining research methods. Graduate students then developed a mixed-methods survey with community partner feedback and completed data collection. The Qualtrics survey consisted of three branches for service providers, LGBTQ+ young adults (age 18-25), and parents or caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth in Box Elder County. The survey resulted in an adequate response from service providers (n=50) with a limited response from LGBTQ+ young adults (n=11) and parents or caregivers (n=11). Preliminary findings indicate a need for increased local services for LGBTQ+ youth and families.

Location

Logan, Ut

Start Date

4-12-2023 1:30 PM

End Date

4-12-2023 2:30 PM

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

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Apr 12th, 1:30 PM Apr 12th, 2:30 PM

A Community in Context: Assessing the Needs of LGBTQ+ Youth and Families in Box Elder County, Utah

Logan, Ut

LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health disparities as a marginalized population yet their service needs are understudied in rural Utah communities. This research project seeks to assess current health and social support services for LGBTQ+ youth and families living in Box Elder County, Utah. This project is coordinated by the Transforming Communities Institute and takes a community-based approach involving the collaborative efforts of community partners, graduate students and their faculty supervisors in the Department of Social Work, and TCI staff. Using the Theory of Change as a framework, the research process started with a community-identified issue followed by developing a context for the research, identifying research questions, and determining research methods. Graduate students then developed a mixed-methods survey with community partner feedback and completed data collection. The Qualtrics survey consisted of three branches for service providers, LGBTQ+ young adults (age 18-25), and parents or caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth in Box Elder County. The survey resulted in an adequate response from service providers (n=50) with a limited response from LGBTQ+ young adults (n=11) and parents or caregivers (n=11). Preliminary findings indicate a need for increased local services for LGBTQ+ youth and families.