TY - JOUR

T1 - Youth on the virtual edge

T2 - researching marginalized sexualities and genders online

AU - McDermott, Elizabeth

AU - Roen, Katrina

PY - 2012/4

Y1 - 2012/4

N2 - Research shows clear links between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and deliberate self-harm (DSH), but there is a lack of research investigating the social context of young LGBT people's lives and helping to explain the higher DSH risk. In this article, we report on a small-scale methodological study intended to test the feasibility of online qualitative interviews for investigating young people, sexual and gender identity, and emotional distress. There are many methodological dilemmas arising from researching such sensitive issues with marginalized groups. The study reported here was designed to examine (a) sampling diversity in terms of sexuality, gender identities, and class; and (b) the type of data produced. We found that a virtual methodology was effective in recruiting young LGBT participants who might otherwise not take part in research. Online interviewing successfully produced in-depth, "immediate" data that potentially gave access to insights that might not emerge through face-to face interviews.

AB - Research shows clear links between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and deliberate self-harm (DSH), but there is a lack of research investigating the social context of young LGBT people's lives and helping to explain the higher DSH risk. In this article, we report on a small-scale methodological study intended to test the feasibility of online qualitative interviews for investigating young people, sexual and gender identity, and emotional distress. There are many methodological dilemmas arising from researching such sensitive issues with marginalized groups. The study reported here was designed to examine (a) sampling diversity in terms of sexuality, gender identities, and class; and (b) the type of data produced. We found that a virtual methodology was effective in recruiting young LGBT participants who might otherwise not take part in research. Online interviewing successfully produced in-depth, "immediate" data that potentially gave access to insights that might not emerge through face-to face interviews.

KW - adolescents / youth, at-risk

KW - bisexuals

KW - gays and lesbians

KW - gender

KW - interviews, electronic

KW - minorities

KW - research, access to participants

KW - research, online

KW - research, qualitative

KW - self-harm

KW - sensitive topics

KW - sexuality / sexual health

KW - social identity

KW - suicide

KW - transsexuals

KW - vulnerable populations

KW - young adults

KW - DELIBERATE SELF-HARM

KW - MENTAL-HEALTH

KW - SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

KW - YOUNG-PEOPLE

KW - GAY MEN

KW - ORIENTATION

KW - INTERNET

KW - POPULATION

KW - BEHAVIOR

KW - SHAME

U2 - 10.1177/1049732311425052

DO - 10.1177/1049732311425052

M3 - Journal article

VL - 22

SP - 560

EP - 570

JO - Qualitative Health Research

JF - Qualitative Health Research

SN - 1049-7323

IS - 4

ER -