Cross-National Investigation of Health Indicators among  Sexual Minorities in Norway and the United States

Stephen Russell,Christopher Wheldon,Lars Wichstrøm,Ryan Watson

doi:10.3390/socsci4041006

Abstract

A cross-national study of young adult sexual minorities was conducted in order to explore the associations between sexual orientation and measures of depression, suicidality, and substance use. Two nationally representative data sets were explored from the United States (N = 14,335) and Norway (N = 2423). Results indicated that sexual minorities experienced multiple health disparities (depression, suicidality, and substance use) compared to their heterosexual counterparts. We found similar patterns of depression, suicidality, and substance use for sexual minorities in both the United States and Norway. The highest odds of substance use were among heterosexual-identified Norwegian youth who reported same-sex sexual activity, and the highest odds of suicidality were found for bisexual young adults in Norway. These findings have implications for how we consider culture and social policy as barriers and/or opportunities for sexual minorities.

Highlights

Population studies in the United States (U.S.) have identified patterns of multiple mental health problems experienced by those identified as sexual minorities, such as higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm, compared to heterosexuals [1]
We investigated whether the depression, suicidality, and substance use patterns were similar for sexual minorities in the United States and Norway
In the U.S, but not Norway, suicide attempts were correlated with substance use

Summary

Introduction

Population studies in the United States (U.S.) have identified patterns of multiple mental health problems experienced by those identified as sexual minorities (e.g., lesbians, gays, bisexuals), such as higher rates of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-harm, compared to heterosexuals [1]. Adolescence is a meaningful time to capture the experiences of sexual minorities, as it is a time when many disclose their sexual identities to others and move away from the communities and relationships that served as the contexts for their early development. Research suggests that this is a vulnerable developmental period for sexual minority youth [9,10,11,12]. The continual process of disclosure and concealment of one’s sexual identity can be a source of significant stress to sexual minority youth and may explain observed mental health disparities [13,14]

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Conclusion