Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ilan H. Meyer, PhD, Jessica Dietrich, MPH, and Sharon Schwartz, PhD. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Department of Sociomedical Sciences, 722 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, 212-305-1952, meyer@rsage.org

Background: Recent studies have advanced our knowledge of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) mental health by utilizing U.S. population-based samples. However, these studies have too few LGB respondents to provide information about differences in risk for disorders among LGB subgroups. Method: To fill this gap in knowledge, we assembled a diverse sample of Black, Latino, and White LGB men and women aged 18 to 59 (N = 396) from over 200 venues in New York City. We assessed DSM-IV mental disorders using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: Consistent with other studies we found a high lifetime prevalence of anxiety (44%, SE = 2.5), mood (31%, SE = 2.3), substance use (38% SE = 2.5), and any disorders (70%, SE = 2.3). Risk for all classes of disorder was similar for men and women. But risk for disorder varied: unlike the general population, younger LGBs (ages18 - 34) were less likely than older LGBs to have mood disorders [OR (CI) = 0.3 (0.2-0.6)] and Black and Latino LGBs were less likely than whites to have mood and any disorders [OR (CI) = 0.4 (0.3-0.8); 0.8 (0.3-0.8)]. Despite this, Black and Latino LGBs were at higher risk for a history of a serious suicide attempt [OR (CI) = 6 (1.3-28.1); 7 (1.6-33.3)]. Consistent with recent work, we found that having a bisexual identity (as compared with gay or lesbian) increased risk for substance use disorders (OR (CI) = 1.9, 1.1-3.2). Results are interpreted in view of minority stress theory predictions. NIMH R01-MH066058

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize variability among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations related to gender, age, class, and race/ethnicity
• Identify differences among LGB subpopulations in risk for mental disorders
• Discuss risk for mental disorders in LGB populations in view of minority stress theory

Keywords: Gay, Lesbian

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation