Online Program

328456
Discrepancies in reporting of mental illness among foreign-born lesbian and bisexual women


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 11:09 a.m. - 11:22 a.m.

Tongtan Chantarat, MPH, CLC, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Maysoun Freij, PhD, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Linda Weiss, PhD, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Lindsey Realmuto, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Background: In many cultures, social stigma is associated with mental illness and is a commonly cited barrier to treatment among foreign-born individuals. LGBT individuals often experience stress due to their sexual orientation, and are at higher risk for mental illness than heterosexuals. Very little is known about the potentially interactive effects of being foreign-born and a sexual minority with respect to mental health.

Method: Using the National Health Interview Survey 2013 data, we estimated the prevalence of serious mental illness (SMI), as defined by the Kessler-6 psychological distress scale, among foreign-born lesbian and bisexual women (LB) aged ≥18 years. Self-reported mental illness, and mental health service and medication use were also analyzed. Comparisons were made between foreign-born and US-born LB and heterosexual women.

Findings: In 2013, 2.3% of US women identified as LB; among these approximately one-eighth was foreign-born. Thirteen percent of foreign-born LB screened for SMI, compared to 6.8% and 4.3% of US-born LB and heterosexual women, respectively. However, self-reported data offered a different picture. Compared to foreign-born LB, more US-born LB reported frequent depression (21.1% vs. 2%) and anxiety (54.0% vs. 24.1%). Use of medication for depression and anxiety was also significantly higher among US-born LB. Delaying mental health service due to costs was reported significantly more frequently among foreign-born LB.

Implications: Foreign-born LB were more likely to experience SMI, but less likely to recognize and/or report it. Findings suggest the importance of mental health screening and support for foreign-born LB, and additional research.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe mental illness among foreign-born and US-born lesbian and bisexual women. Demonstrate the impact of cultural and sexual minority stressors on mental health.

Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Immigrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a research analyst at The New York Academy of Medicine, providing support and oversight of data collection and analysis for public health projects that address the elimination of health disparities, including among sexual minorities. My epidemiological research incorporate advanced modeling and utilize data from surveys, electronic medical records and claims, and large public data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.