Racial/ethnic differences in identity and mental health outcomes among young sexual minority women.

Abstract

Previous research suggests that sexual minorities are at greater risk for trauma exposure, mental health problems, and substance use. To date, few studies have examined racial/ethnic differences among sexual minorities in relation to health-related behaviors and outcomes. Furthermore, studies of racial/ethnic differences among young adult sexual minority women (SMW) are virtually non-existent. The current study adds to the previous literature by exploring differences in trauma exposure, sexual identity, mental health, and substance use in a non-probability national sample of young adult SMW. A total of 967 self-identified lesbian and bisexual women were recruited via the internet using social networking sites to participate in a larger longitudinal study on young women’s health behaviors. The present study included 730 (76%) White, 108 (10%) African American, 91 (9%) Latina, and 38 (4%) Asian women ages 18 to 25. Results revealed differences in socioeconomic variables, degree of outness to family, childhood sexual assault, and forcible rape, but not overall lifetime trauma exposure. Among mental health and health-related behavior variables, few differences between groups emerged. Our findings indicate that both researchers and clinicians should turn their attention to processes of resilience among young SMW, particularly young SMW of color.

Sexual Orientation, Race, and Trauma as Predictors of Sexual Assault Recovery

“…A cross-sectional study of sexual assault survivors found that Black women reported greater depression, PTSD, problem drinking, and drug use than White women and that Black sexual minority women fared worse on these outcomes than Black heterosexual women (Sigurvinsdottir & Ullman, 2015). A recent study of young lesbian and bisexual women recruited through social media found that Asian women reported fewer PTSD symptoms than White women, but there were no race group differences for depression and anxiety (Balsam et al, 2015), confirming other past research (Balsam et al, 2010; Balsam, Beadnell & Molina, 2013). However, other studies have uncovered differences in psychological distress and depression (Bostwick, Hughes, & Johnson, 2005; Kim & Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2012).…”

“…The risk of sexual violence is elevated for sexual minorities both in childhood and adulthood (Friedman et al, 2011; Hughes, McCabe, Wilsnack, West, & Boyd, 2010; Morris & Balsam, 2003; Roberts, Austin, Corliss, Vandermorris, & Koenen, 2010; Rothman et al, 2011). A recent study of lesbian and bisexual women has even identified sexual minority status as a risk factor for trauma (Balsam et al, 2015). Risk of sexual victimization may therefore be higher among sexual minorities.…”

“…For example, Black bisexual college women reported higher rates of sexual assault (13.2%) than Black heterosexual women (9.5%; Krebs, Lindquist & Barrick, 2011). Furthermore, people of color in the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual community are more likely than Whites to have been victimized (Arreola, Neilands, Pollack, Paul, & Catania, 2005; Balsam, Lehavot, Beadnell, & Circo, 2015; Dunbar, 2006; Meyer, 2010; Morris & Balsam, 2003). In fact, violence based on race, social class, and sexual orientation has been described as a ‘web of trauma’ (West, 2002).…”

Relationship of Religiosity and Spirituality to Hazardous Drinking, Drug Use, and Depression Among Sexual Minority Women

“…Similarly, research findings suggest higher rates of depression among SMW of color compared to heterosexual women of color (Cochran, Mays, Ortega, Alegria, & Takeuchi, 2007; Matthews, Hughes, Johnson, Razzano, & Cassidy, 2002; Mays, Cochran, & Roeder, 2004). Findings regarding depression among African-American and Latina SMW compared to White SMW are inconsistent (Aranda et al, 2015; Balsam et al, 2015; Jeong, Veldhuis, Aranda, & Hughes, 2016). Given that lower rates of hazardous drinking, drug use, and depression typically found among women of color compared to White women in the general population are not seen consistently among SMW, it seems likely that dynamics of risk and protection may not operate in the same way among SMW (Cochran et al, 2007; Hughes, Wilsnack, & Kantor, 2016; Hughes et al, 2006; Matthews et al, 2014; Mereish & Bradford, 2014).…”

Associations of Timing of Sexual Orientation Developmental Milestones and Other Sexual Minority Stressors with Internalizing Mental Health Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Young Adults

“…Research on timing of sexual orientation developmental milestones has demonstrated that men generally reach milestones at an earlier age than women (D’Augelli, 2006; Floyd & Bakeman, 2006; Katz-Wise, 2014; Katz-Wise et al, 2016; Rosario et al, 1996; Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000). Beyond gender differences, there may be variability in the timing of milestones based on other sociodemographic characteristics, such as race/ethnicity (Balsam et al, 2015; Dubé & Savin-Williams, 1999; Parks, Hughes, & Matthews, 2004; Rosario, Schrimshaw, & Hunter, 2004) or sexual minority subgroup (Katz-Wise et al, 2016; Maguen, Floyd, Bakeman, & Armistead, 2002). …”