Conceptualization and Measurement of LGBTQ+ Bullying: A Systematic Review of Two Decades of Research

Abstract

Scientific interest in LGBTQ+ bullying, usually named homophobic bullying, has increased exponentially over recent decades. Nevertheless, the proliferation of studies has not yet resulted in an integrated and consistent theoretical framework, finding instead a wide conceptual and operational diversity that has complicated the understanding of the phenomenon. This paper aims to identify common elements in the extant scientific literature, and go further integrating definitions and parameters to assess this type of bullying. A systematic review was conducted on LGBTQ+ bullying following the PRISMA criteria. After applying several inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search returned a total of 158 articles, which were analyzed in depth. The results showed a predominant view of the phenomenon focuses mainly on victimization, in terms of the role analyzed, and on sexual orientation, as a key parameter at a conceptual level. The results highlight the need to adopt a more inclusive outlook on the phenomenon integrating other roles and, above all, other dimensions of sexuality: assigned at birth sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. It is essential to clearly and operationally define the phenomenon, taking its psychosocial complexity into consideration and distinguishing it from other related yet separate expressions of peer violence, such as general bullying.