515 - Identifying Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Adolescent Patients who Present to Pediatric Emergency Department for Mental Health Concerns
Monday, April 28, 2025
7:00am – 9:15am HST
Publication Number: 515.5544
Ryan S. Waddell, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Maumelle, AR, United States; DAVID MARK. SPIRO, UAMS/ACH, LITTLE ROCK, AR, United States; Lee Crawley, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Conway, AR, United States; Beverly Spray, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, United States; Lauren E. Howard, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR, United States; Joselin Niemyer, UAMS, Little Rock, AR, United States
Fellow University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine Maumelle, Arkansas, United States
Background: Sexual orientation and gender identity are key components of how an individual self-identifies. It is known that individuals that identify as non-heterosexual or cisgender have higher rates of mental health disorders. However, the prevalence of these individuals who present to the emergency department (ED) for mental health concerns is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of gender identity and sexual orientation in adolescent patients presenting to the ED for mental health concerns to determine if targeted resources and earlier identification of these demographics would be beneficial to this patient population. Design/Methods: The study is a prospective analysis that evaluates adolescents who present to the pediatric emergency department with a positive behavioral health screener. Once identified, these individuals are approached with an anonymous electronic survey with questions related to non-identifiable patient demographics including gender identity and sexual orientation. Results: Study enrollment is complete (n=102) after achieving our a priori sample size. Sixteen percent of individuals completing the survey identified as a gender that is not congruent with their assigned sex at birth. 39 of 102 patients (38%) identified their sexual orientation as non-heterosexual.
Conclusion(s): This is the first known study suggesting a high prevalence of non-heterosexual and non-cisgender adolescent patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department for mental health concerns. Further research is necessary to understand the significance of these findings and to determine if these results are similar at other pediatric institutions.
