SHS Web of Conferences 171, 01028 (2023) https://doi.org/10.

1051/shsconf/202317101028
MHEHD 2023

A review of research on bullying and mental health of LGBTQ

students in China
LeChun Xiao *
School of Humanities, JiangXi University of Chinese Medicine, NanChang, JiangXi, China

Abstract. LGBTQ people have been suffering from school bullying and have higher mental health risks. In
recent years, scholars around the world have focused on the phenomenon of school bullying and subsequent
effects on LGBTQ people. This paper composes relevant studies by Chinese scholars and summarizes the
unique psychological effects of school bullying exposure on LGBTQ students in the Chinese cultural
context.The study found that gender stereotypes and heteronormative hegemonic concepts in traditional
Chinese gender culture, filial culture in family culture, and the imperfection of sexuality education can
negatively affect school bullying of LGBTQ students in schools, which in turn affects the psychological
health of LGBTQ students. Chinese educators need to improve the system and practice of sex and gender
education.

1 INTRODUCTION
All children and adolescents are at threat of bullying in 2 THE SITUATION OF SCHOOL
schools, but sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ) are BULLYING AMONG SEXUAL
more at risk of discrimination, violence and bullying in MINORITIES IN CHINA
schools than non-sexual minorities.
Sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ) are groups
whose gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual 2.1 The situation of school bullying among
behavior is different from the majority of society. Sexual sexual minorities in China
and gender minorities have been exposed to a variety of Multiple studies confirm that sexual minorities
pressures from the social environment for a long time experience school bullying more frequently than non-
and are not only more likely to be involved in school sexual minorities[7].Henderson summarized the patterns
bullying, but also have higher mental health risks, and of school bullying experienced by sexual minorities and
the psychological and behavioral effects can last for a found six common bullying experiences: verbal
longer period of time.Victims of school bullying may harassment, gender warnings, physical violence, sexual
experience a range of negative consequences, including harassment, social exclusion, and perceived sexual
anxiety, depression[1], decreased self-esteem, and offenders and violators[8].
increased risk of substance abuse and suicidal A study of sexual minority students in China found
ideation[2].Numerous studies around the world have that among school bullying as a result of sexual
demonstrated that sexual and gender minorities have orientation and gender identity, 40.9% had been given
higher rates of bullying victimization and higher risk of unpleasant nicknames; about 34.6% had suffered verbal
suicide[3-6]. harm such as humiliation and name-calling; 21.9% had
Social culture is an important influential factor in suffered isolation from others; and about 6.0% had
school bullying.In China's unique socio-cultural suffered physical harm and threats[7] .
environment, school bullying has its own unique impact Differences in bullying experiences were also
on the mental health of sexual minorities. This paper will demonstrated within LGBTQ. Among these,
discuss the impact of school bullying on the mental homophobic bullying refers to violence that arises from
health of sexual minorities in China, taking into account irrational fears about sexual desire between people of the
the researches of Chinese scholars. same sex and the existence of sexuality, while trans-
phobic bullying refers to violence that arises from
irrational fears about those whose gender identity or
gender behavior does not match their biological sex and
gender role expectations[9].In groups where the assigned
gender was male, both gay men and transgender or non-
binary genders showed higher levels of depressive

*
Corresponding author: [email protected]

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
SHS Web of Conferences 171, 01028 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317101028
MHEHD 2023

symptoms, with bullying being the main reason for this 3.1. Traditional Gender Cultural Concepts
increased risk[10].Research has also confirmed that both
male students and transgender students experience more
3.1.1 Gender stereotypes and the promotion of a
school bullying than female students [6], and that gay
binary gender ethos
and bisexual students are at higher risk of bullying
victimization and perpetrating bullying compared to China is still in a patriarchal model that remains
heterosexual students[7,11]. predominantly "heterosexual"[17]. The traditional
cultural promotion of binary gender temperament[18]
2.2 Effect on mental health and the shaping of gender stereotypes are important
reasons why sexual minorities are more vulnerable to
Sexual minority students involved in school bullying prejudice, discrimination, and violence.
develop more internalized psychological problems, at- Studies have found that students who identify more
risk behavioral problems, long-term personal strongly with gender stereotypes are more likely to
development problems, interpersonal problems, and may engage in gender-related bullying behaviors[19]. This
also affect the incidence of mental disorders and sense of anxiety and and uneasiness stemming from
personality disorders. gender hegemony is more likely to translate into
aggression and a homophobic atmosphere when
individuals contrary to gender stereotypical messages are
2.2.1 Internalizing Psychological Issues and Risky
present in the group during a critical period of gender
Behaviors
conscious development[20-21]. Some students will
Sexual minority students involved in school bullying isolate and harm those heteronormative groups to ensure
have more negative emotions, lower subjective feelings the legitimacy and authority of their own gender roles
of well-being, and are more likely to have emotional and maintain gender stereotypes[22].
problems such as developing anxiety, depression, In essence, behind this gender binary norm is the
loneliness[6] and mental health problems such as low expression of gender inequality[23]. The level of gender
self-esteem and anorexia[12] . equality in China also affects LGBTQ students. The
Not only that, school bullying is associated with risk lower the level of gender equality, the more homophobic
behaviors such as substance abuse, non-suicidal self- bullying and sexual harassment.
injury[13], violence, and delinquency[10].
3.1.2 Family culture
2.2.2 Interpersonal relationships and personal
Traditional Chinese cultural views on filial piety,
development
marriage and procreation also greatly influence people's
In terms of interpersonal relationships, sexual minority views and attitudes towards sexual minorities. The
students who experience school bullying are more likely expectations and demands of patriarchal families for the
to experience feelings of helplessness and lose trust in inheritance of children are a major source of pressure for
others[6]. LGBTQ in China[24].In this view, sexual and gender
School bullying also affects the development of minorities are seen as "unfilial", which makes them more
sexual minority individuals' personal cognition, which is vulnerable to discrimination and attacks from peers,
detrimental to the formation of their values[9], the teachers, and significant others, making it harder for
formation of a sound personality, and the development them to get support from school bullying, and increasing
of a healthy psychological profile[14] . School bullying the stress on their mental health[25].
may affect the incidence of psychiatric disorders in early
adulthood, depression, panic disorder, generalized 3.2 The imperfection of sex education
anxiety disorder[15], and even affectionless personality
disorder.
3.2.1 Sex education and gender concepts in
schools
3 THE UNIQUE INFLUENCES OF SCHOOL
BULLYING ON LGBTQ MENTAL HEALTH IN China has long lacked clear curriculum standards for sex
CHINA education in schools, and the practice of sex education is
insufficient[20]. Teachers' lack of knowledge on
Ching conducted a study on Asian American sexual sexuality and gender issuesxxii and lack of a gender
minorities and proposed the model of intersectional perspective on bullying[9] are important reasons for
stress and trauma, that focused on the rejection of sexual LGBTQ people in school bullying in China. Studies
minorities by the ethnic heritage culture and social have shown that a gender-equal school atmosphere
norms of Asians, which became one of the most effectively reduces the risk of bullying and mental health
significant stressors for Asian sexual minorities[16]. stress for LGBTQ students[9].
In China, some unique factors are at work in the Teachers' perceptions of gender and bullying play an
school bullying process that have a particular impact on important role.The correct identification and intervention
the mental health of sexual minorities. of school bullying by teachers is an important factor to

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MHEHD 2023

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