Nursing care in adolescent with internalized homophobia from Johnson’s behavioral model

Authors

  • Alexander León Puello Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia. Bogotá, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5599-7731
  • Pedro Yamith Niño Perez Fundación Universitaria de San Gil, Grupo ICES. Santander, Colombia. / Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, Semillero de Investigación Saikwa. Yopal, Casanare, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9835-3382

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20453/renh.v19i1.7604

Keywords:

internalized homophobia, mental health, nursing in mental health, adolescent health

Abstract

Internalized homophobia during adolescence constitutes a phenomenon that negatively impacts mental health and promotes significant behavioral alterations. From Dorothy Johnson’s Behavioral System Model perspective, nursing acts as an external regulatory agent aimed at restoring the individual’s behavioral balance. The objective was to analyze nursing care in a 16-year-old adolescent with internalized homophobia, anxious-depressive symptoms, and a prior history of suicidal ideation, identifying behavioral alterations and developing a comprehensive care plan. The assessment revealed alterations in the affiliation, dependency, sexuality, and aggressive-protective subsystems, manifested as social isolation, self-devaluative language, identity conflict, and persistent anxiety. The prioritized nursing diagnoses included situational low self-esteem, ineffective coping, and risk for self-directed violence. The care plan, structured according to NANDA-I, NOC, and NIC, was implemented over eight months through initial weekly interventions followed by subsequent monitoring, focusing on emotional support, self-esteem strengthening, affect regulation, and the development of a safety plan. Evaluation showed a reduction in self-homophobic language, increased emotional expression, and the development of adaptive strategies, demonstrating behavioral reorganization in accordance with the theoretical model.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Alexander León Puello , Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia. Bogotá, Colombia.

  1. Alexander León Puello Enfermero de la Universidad de Cartagena, Magister en Enfermería en Salud Mental de la Universidad de Cartagena, Magister en Psicología Comunitaria de la Universidad Nacional Abierta y A Distancia - UNAD, Doctorante en Educación, Docente de la Universidad Nacional Abierta y A Distancia.
 

Pedro Yamith Niño Perez, Fundación Universitaria de San Gil, Grupo ICES. Santander, Colombia. / Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, Semillero de Investigación Saikwa. Yopal, Casanare, Colombia.

    

References

Batista TS, Tavares FM, Gonçalves G, et al. Homofobia internalizada e depressão em mulheres e homens homossexuais e bissexuais: inquérito de saúde LGBT+, 2020. Ciênc Saúde Coletiva. 2024;29(9):e05412023. doi:10.1590/1413-81232024299.05412023

Yolaç E, Meriç M. Internalized homophobia and depression levels in LGBT individuals. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021;57(1):304-10. doi:10.1111/ppc.12564

Williamson IR. Internalized homophobia and health issues affecting lesbians and gay men. Health Educ Res. 2000;15(1):97-107. doi:10.1093/her/15.1.97

Newcomb ME, Mustanski B. Internalized homophobia and internalizing mental health problems: a meta-analytic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(8):1019-29. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.07.003

Hatzenbuehler ML, Pachankis JE. Stigma and minority stress as social determinants of health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016;63(6):985-97. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2016.07.003

Layland EK, Carter JA, Perry NS, et al. A systematic review of stigma in sexual and gender minority health interventions. Transl Behav Med. 2020;10(5):1200-10. doi:10.1093/tbm/ibz200

Francis I, Buscemi C. The invisible minority: stigma and sexual and gender diversity in health care. Creat Nurs. 2023;29(4):335-42. doi:10.1177/10784535231212476

Lee H, Operario D, Yi H, et al. Internalized homophobia, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in South Korea: an age-stratified analysis. LGBT Health. 2019;6(8):393-9. doi:10.1089/lgbt.2019.0108

Ruppert R, Kattari SK, Sussman S. Review: prevalence of addictions among transgender and gender diverse subgroups. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8843. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168843

Hoy-Ellis CP. Minority stress and mental health: a review of the literature. J Homosex. 2023;70(5):806-30. doi:10.1080/00918369.2021.2004794

Frost DM, Meyer IH. Minority stress theory: application, critique, and continued relevance. Curr Opin Psychol. 2023;51:101579. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101579

Ayhan CH, Bilgin H, Uluman OT, et al. A systematic review of discrimination against sexual and gender minority in health care settings. Int J Health Serv. 2020;50(1):44-61. doi:10.1177/0020731419885093

West MG, de Araújo E, Vilar CM, et al. Continuing nursing education actions in the face of homophobia: an integrative review. Rev Bras Enferm. 2024;77(supl. 3):e20230094. doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0094

Reyes JA, Zepeda MI. Aplicación de un modelo teórico de enfermería en la intervención de las mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica. Enferm Glob [Internet]. 2008;7(2):1-10. Disponible en: https://revistas.um.es/eglobal/article/view/16021

Reivan-Ortiz GG, Pineda-García G, León BD. Psychometric properties of the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) in Ecuadorian population. Int J Psychol Res. 2019;12(1):41-8. doi:10.21500/20112084.3745

Monterrosa-Castro ÁJ, Ordosgoitia-Parra E, Beltrán-Barrios T. Ansiedad y depresión identificadas con la Escala de Goldberg en estudiantes universitarios del área de la salud. MedUNAB. 2020;23(3):372-88. doi:10.29375/01237047.3881

Herdman TH, Kamitsuru S, Takáo C, editores. Diagnósticos enfermeros: definiciones y clasificación 2024-2026. 13.a ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2024.

Poster EC, Beliz L. The use of the Johnson behavioral system model to measure changes during adolescent hospitalization. Int J Adolesc Youth. 1992;4(1):73-84. doi:10.1080/02673843.1992.9747724

Michel GI, Despaigne C. Intervención de enfermería en adolescentes con intento suicida bajo el modelo de Dorothy E. Johnson. En: SMADIC 2023. Simposio de Salud Mental y Adicciones [Internet]. La Habana; 2023. Disponible en: https://cedro.sld.cu/index.php/sm_adicciones/sma2023/paper/viewFile/42/25

Moorhead S, Swanson E, Johnson M. Clasificación de resultados de enfermería (NOC): medición de resultados en salud. 7.a ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2024.

Bulechek GM, Butcher HK, Dochterman JM, et al. Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC). 6.a ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2013.

Williams DY, Hall WJ, Dawes HC, et al. Relationships between internalized stigma and depression and suicide risk among queer youth in the United States: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1205581. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1205581

De Lange J, Baams L, van Bergen DD, et al. Minority stress and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among LGBT adolescents and young adults: a meta-analysis. LGBT Health. 2022;9(4):222-37. doi:10.1089/lgbt.2021.0106

Craig SL, Austin A, McInroy LB. School-based groups to support multiethnic sexual minority youth resiliency: preliminary effectiveness. Child Adolesc Soc Work J. 2014;31:87-106. doi:10.1007/s10560-013-0311-7

Lucassen MF, Núñez-García A, Rimes KA, et al. Coping strategies to enhance the mental wellbeing of sexual and gender minority youths: a scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(14):8738. doi:10.3390/ijerph19148738

Yang Y, Ye Z, Li W, et al. Efficacy of psychosocial interventions to reduce affective symptoms in sexual and gender minorities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Psychiatry. 2024;24:4. doi:10.1186/s12888-023-05451-y

Albaum C, Irwin SH, Muha J, et al. Safety planning interventions for suicide prevention in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2025;179(8):886-95. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.1012

Rogers ML, Gai AR, Lieberman A, et al. Why does safety planning prevent suicidal behavior? Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2022;53(1):33-41. doi:10.1037/pro0000427

Lick DJ, Durso LE, Johnson KL. Minority stress and physical health among sexual minorities. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2013;8(5):521-48. doi:10.1177/1745691613497965

McDermott E, Eastham R, Hughes E, et al. Explaining effective mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth: a meta-narrative review. SSM Ment Health. 2021;1:100004. doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100004

Alligood MR. Modelos y teorías en enfermería. 10.ª ed. Barcelona: Elsevier; 2022.

Clayton State University. Johnson Behavioral System (JBS) Model [Internet]. Clayton State University; 2002, 1 de septiembre. Disponible en: https://www.clayton.edu/health/nursing/nursing-theory/johnson-behaviorial-system.php

McDermott E, Kaley A, Kaner E, et al. Reducing LGBTQ+ adolescent mental health inequalities: a realist review of school-based interventions. J Ment Health. 2024;33(6):768-78. doi:10.1080/09638237.2023.2245894

Hatzenbuehler ML, Keyes KM. Inclusive anti-bullying policies and reduced risk of suicide attempts in lesbian and gay youth. J Adolesc Health. 2013;53(supl. 1):S21-6. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.08.010

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health disparities among LGBTQ youth [Internet]. CDC; 2025, 29 de noviembre. Disponible en: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/lgbtq-youth/health-disparities-among-lgbtq-youth.html

Published

2026-03-19

How to Cite

1.
León Puello A, Niño Perez PY. Nursing care in adolescent with internalized homophobia from Johnson’s behavioral model. Rev enferm Herediana [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 19 [cited 2026 Apr. 9];19(1):e7604. Available from: https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/RENH/article/view/7604

Issue

Section

CASOS CLÍNICOS