Function Of Sexual Orientation Research Articles

Internalized Heterosexism and Exposed Psychological Intimate Partner Violence: Experiences of Lesbian and Bisexual Women in Turkey and Denmark

The current study investigates how associations between internalized heterosexism (IH) and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization differ for lesbian vs. bisexual (LB) women in Denmark, where queer people are relatively well accepted, and Turkey, where discrimination is still very high. The first purpose of the current study is to explore differences in the prevalence of psychological IPV victimization as a function of sexual orientation (LB women) and country (Denmark and Turkey). As the second purpose, we look at the moderating role of sexual orientation and moderated moderating role of country on the association between IH and psychological IPV victimization. A sample of 257 LB women aged 18-71 years (M = 33.23, SD = 11.15) from Denmark and 152 LB women aged 18-52 years (M = 28.88, SD = 7.70) from Turkey participated. The results of chi-square analyses indicate that LB women from Turkey reported significantly higher psychological IPV victimization than LB women from Denmark. Lesbian than bisexual women from both countries reported more hostile withdrawal and dominance/intimidation-related psychological IPV victimization. The results of moderated moderation analyses reveal that lesbian women in Turkey and bisexual women in Denmark with higher IH were more likely to report experiencing denigration acts. Mental health professionals working with queer psychological IPV survivors may benefit from understanding that IH is associated with LB women's victimization of psychological IPV, which might be further associated with mental health challenges.

The desire for more children among Israeli lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples who became parents through assisted reproduction.

The present online questionnaire-based study compared 72 lesbian mothers by donor insemination (within 36 families), 78 gay fathers by gestational surrogacy (within 39 families), and 72 heterosexual parents by assisted reproduction (without donated eggs and/or sperm; within 36 families), on their desire to have more children and their ideal number of children. All participants self-identified as cisgender, lived in Israel, and had a mean number of two children. The study also explored the predictors of participants' desire for more children. Multilevel modeling analyses indicated that, when participants' actual number of children was controlled for, lesbian and gay parents did not differ from heterosexual parents on their desire for more children and their ideal number of children. Parents' younger age, greater positivity, and lower attribution of responsibility to children for misbehavior, in addition to a lower discrepancy between their actual and ideal number of children, were associated with greater desire for more children. The results suggest that lesbian and gay parenthood may mark an entrance to the Israeli familistic "mainstream," which, in turn, may decrease differences in parenthood aspirations as a function of sexual orientation. The study contributes to the scant literature on the desire for more than one child among parents in diverse family configurations. It further provides family researchers and policy makers with vital information on the most influential factors associated with the desire for more children among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Bisexuality and /s/ production

The belief that there are systematic differences in speech production as a function of sexual orientation has inspired a vast body of linguistic research investigating the acoustic correlates of sounding queer. Although gay-sounding voices and to a lesser extent lesbian-sounding voices are well represented in this literature, bisexuality is conspicuously absent. The current study addresses this gap through an acoustic analysis of bisexual English speakers’ read speech vis-à-vis lesbian, gay, and straight speakers, specifically attending to three measures of the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/: center of gravity, skew, and duration. A qualitative analysis of post-test participant information surveys contextualizes the statistical results. The study finds that bisexual women and men do not pattern consistently with lesbian, gay, or straight speakers, or even with each other. The results call into question the common methodological practice of grouping bisexual speakers with lesbian and gay speakers a priori and underscore the importance of intersectionality, gender normativity, and ideology in sociophonetic studies of sexuality and the voice.

Sexual Orientation-Based Differential Item Functioning in Measures of Body Image Concerns and Ideals among Men.

Body image concerns and body ideals are linked with eating disorders and psychological health. Body image and ideals among men differ by sexual orientation, which may influence the utility of common measures of such constructs. The present study used differential item functioning (DIF) analyses to examine whether item endorsement differs as a function of sexual orientation in three commonly used measures of body image concerns and ideals. Participants were sexual minority (n=209) and heterosexual (n=494) men in the United States. Scores on the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS), Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), and Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) were examined. DIF was tested in a three-step regression wherein item scores were predicted by: (1) subscale score, (2) subscale and sexual orientation, and (3) subscale, sexual orientation and their product term. Model fit and variance explain comparisons identified DIF. Δ pseudo R2 value ≥ .035 from step 1 to 3 signified clinical significant DIF. There was no evidence of clinically significant DIF for the DMS, SATAQ-4, or OBSC. Findings suggest that DMS, SATAQ-4, and OBSC perform similarly for sexual minority and heterosexual men.

Sexual Orientation Effects in Health Information Technology Usage: Increasing Equity in Access While Physical Distancing

In the face of surging cases of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), healthcare professionals are searching for ways to provide care to the general public that obviates the need for in-person contact. Pervasive heterosexism and social stigma have long presented structural barriers to care for sexual (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual) and gender (i.e., trans-identified, nonbinary, gender fluid) minority health service users. Health information technology (HIT) creates an opportunity for enhanced healthcare and communications that can simultaneously reduce harmful barriers to care, while also maintaining physical distancing to reduce COVID-19 exposure. While research has demonstrated the value of HIT usage for purchasing medications, communicating with healthcare providers, seeking health information, and managing personal health records, there remains a dearth of published empirical research concerning the participation in online health-related activities among sexual minorities, particularly emerging adults. In order to address this gap, we examined HIT usage as a function of sexual orientation through the secondary analysis of data collected in the National Health Interview Survey (2016–2018). Using multivariate analysis, we assessed the likelihood of using technology as a resource for health-related care and communication in sexual and gender minority (SGM) and heterosexual participants. After adjusting for demographic and health variables, SGM male and female participants had increased odds of HIT use when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Results indicate that health information technologies might be an innovative means of increasing access to care for stigmatized populations, while also ameliorating the choice between risking COVID-19 exposure during a clinical visit or postponing needed care.

Knowledge on sexually transmitted infections and AIDS of women who have sex with women

Abstract Introduction Literature points to a scarcity of studies on sexual health and risk behavior of women who have sex with women (WSW) living in low- and middle-income countries, reporting lack of knowledge, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), and low incidence of consistent use of protective barriers. Objective Analyze knowledge of WSW on STI and AIDS. Methods Cross-sectional study developed in São Paulo state, Brazil. The intentional sample consisted of 182 women (55 WSW and 127 women who have sex only with men - WSM). Data were obtained from April to December 2019 through a questionnaire with questions related to the sociodemographic variables and the validated instrument Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ), which has 28 questions adapted to Brazilian Portuguese in order to assess knowledge on STI/AIDS. The percentage of correct responses in function of sexual orientation, correcting the confounding effects, was adjusted by using a multiple linear regression model. The analyses were performed using the software SPSS 22.0. This research was approved by the ethics committee under protocol number 3.320.951. Results Out of the 182 participants, those self-reported as white (79%) and the ones living with their partner (81%) were predominant. The median age was 26 years old (18-48) and the median number of completed years of studies was 14 (1-24). As for their knowledge on STI/AIDS, the average percentage of correct answers was 63%, which on average was 12% lower among WSW compared to WSM. Conclusions The data in the present research indicate the importance of implementing public policies concerning the sexual and reproductive health of WSW, especially aiming at knowledge on STI/AIDS and ways to prevent them. Key messages Importance of implementing public policies concerning the sexual and reproductive health of women who have sex with women. Scarcity of studies on sexual health and risk behavior of women who have sex with women.

Anticipating Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Young Adults Without Children in Portugal: Predictors and Profiles.

Parenthood is a highly valued life goal, independent of one’s sexual orientation. However, the majority of studies exploring young adults’ parenthood plans have relied exclusively on samples of heterosexual individuals. This study aimed (i) to explore differences in parenthood intentions as a function of sexual orientation, (ii) to investigate to what extent sociodemographic and psychological characteristics predict parenthood intentions of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB), and heterosexual individuals, (iii) to test the mediating effect of stigma between sexual orientation and parenthood intentions, and (iv) to identify and characterize profiles of prospective parenthood (through cluster analysis). Data were gathered using an online survey from 375 self-identified LGB and heterosexual young adults without children in Portugal, with a mean age of 25.83 years old (SD = 4.49). Findings indicated that LGB individuals were less likely to intend to have children than heterosexual individuals; furthermore, among LGB individuals, lesbian women expressed stronger intentions to have children than did gay men. Similarities between heterosexual and LGB young adults were observed concerning the psychological determinants of parenthood intentions. Four distinctive profiles of prospective parenthood were identified: aspiring parents not anticipating stigma, aspiring parents anticipating stigma, childfree intent, and childfree ambivalent. Lesbian and bisexual women mostly populated the childfree ambivalent cluster; in contrast, the aspiring parents anticipating stigma cluster contained an overrepresentation of men, including sexual minority men. Professionals may want to attend to communalities and specificities of prospective parenthood as a function of sexual orientation, in order to provide unbiased and culturally competent support to sexual minority individuals.

Estimated Likelihood of Parenthood and its Association with Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual Minorities and Heterosexual Counterparts

The aim of this study was to compare Israeli gay men and lesbians (GL) with their heterosexual counterparts in terms of their estimated likelihood of parenthood and to further assess the association between estimated likelihood of parenthood and psychological well-being as a function of sexual orientation. A total of 449 childless participants (202 self-reported as GL) ranging in age from 18 to 49 (M = 27.86, SD = 4.49) were recruited through convenience sampling between November 2017 and April 2018. They completed questionnaires assessing their estimated likelihood of parenthood, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and happiness. GL reported a lower estimated likelihood of parenthood than their heterosexual counterparts. Also, estimated likelihood of parenthood was associated with psychological well-being indicators, and this association was moderated by sexual orientation, such that stronger associations were evident between estimated likelihood of parenthood and fewer depressive symptoms, greater life satisfaction, and happiness among heterosexual men and women in comparison to GL. The findings are interpreted in light of GL possible awareness of discriminatory local policies concerning sexual minority rights in their quest to parenthood alongside pressure to have children that is greater for heterosexual couples than that faced by GL in the Israeli pronatal sociocultural environment. Policy makers should consider the disparities in estimated likelihood of parenthood between GL and heterosexual counterparts and their possible linkage to the discriminatory Israeli social policies regarding GL rights.

Validity of the Trier Social Stress Test in studying discrimination stress

To test the validity of a modified Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) for studying stress reactivity in sexual minority women. Two hundred seventy-four female participants (66.4% Black American), half of whom identified as lesbian/gay or bisexual and half as heterosexual, completed the TSST with instructions to describe an experience of discrimination. Cortisol levels and negative emotion scores increased, and heart rate variability decreased in response to the TSST, and the magnitude of these responses varied as a function of sexual orientation and race. Women who discussed sexual orientation as a source of discrimination had greater increases in cortisol and negative mood following the TSST. The modified instructions did not compromise the validity of the TSST. Prompting participants to discuss specific sources of discrimination may be a useful adaptation of the TSST in studying minority stress reactivity. SUMMARY The goal of the present study was to adapt a widely used measure of stress reactivity to study the impact of experiences with discrimination on biological systems involved in regulating the stress response. The modification included asking women to discuss a time when they had been treated unfairly and to describe how they responded to that experience. The magnitude of response to the task varied as a function of sexual orientation and race, and the topics discussed, demonstrating usefulness of the modification for studying the impact of discrimination stress of physical health.

Sexual Orientation and Sleep Difficulties: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES)

This study aimed to examine differences in sleep difficulties among adults in the United States (aged 18–59) as a function of sexual orientation and physical health. Data came from the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants (n = 4115) reported on demographics, sexual orientation, sleep, number of doctor visits, physical health, and depressive symptoms. In bivariate analyses, sleep difficulties that were confirmed by a healthcare professional were more likely among sexual minority than among heterosexual adults. After controlling for demographic variables, health problems, and depressive symptoms, bisexual adults were more likely than heterosexual adults to report confirmed sleep difficulties. Subsequent analysis revealed that depressive symptoms partially mediated the association of confirmed sleep difficulties and sexual orientation, particularly for bisexual women. Thus, our findings revealed that confirmed sleep difficulties were more common among bisexual adults – especially bisexual women - than among heterosexual or lesbian/gay adults. The results suggest that disparities in sleep, health, and depression warrant further investigation.

Disparities in DSM‐5 defined eating disorders by sexual orientation among U.S. adults

The increased occurrence of disordered eating behaviors among sexual minorities is well established; however, few studies have examined disparities in eating disorder diagnoses among this population. This study sought to examine lifetime prevalence estimates of DSM-5 defined EDs, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED) as a function of sexual orientation. We then compared prevalence of EDs based on experiences with perceived discrimination. A nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 35,995) participating in the 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III completed structured diagnostic interviews. Prevalence rates were significantly higher among sexual minorities than heterosexual respondents for all EDs: AN = 1.71% (SE = 0.50) versus 0.77% (SE = 0.07), BN = 1.25% (SE = 0.37) versus 0.24% (SE = 0.03), BED = 2.17% (SE = 0.52) versus 0.81% (SE = 0.05). Odds of lifetime diagnosis were significantly greater among sexual minorities for AN (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.93), BN (AOR = 3.69), and BED (AOR = 2.32), after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Sexual minorities reporting experiences with perceived discrimination had significantly higher prevalence of AN than those not endorsing perceived discrimination: 3.78% (SE = 1.43) versus 0.82% (SE = 0.33); AOR = 5.06. There were no significant differences in prevalence of BN or BED by perceived discrimination. Findings indicate that sexual minorities are disproportionately affected by EDs. Further research is needed to better understand mechanisms contributing to these disparities and heightened risk for EDs.

Physical Self-Concept and its Association with Depressive Symptoms among Gay Men and Lesbian Women and their Heterosexual Counterparts

The current study aimed to compare Israeli gay men and lesbian women with their heterosexual counterparts on their physical self-concept (PSC) and to further assess the association between PSC and depressive symptoms as a function of sexual orientation. Gay men (n = 142) were compared with heterosexual men (n = 90), and lesbian women (n = 82) were compared with heterosexual women (n = 214), all of whom who completed measures of PSC and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that gay men reported lower positive PSC in comparison to heterosexual men, whereas no differences emerged between lesbian and heterosexual women on PSC. Also, a stronger negative association was found between PSC and depressive symptoms among gay, in comparison to heterosexual, men whereas no moderation for sexual orientation was found for women. The findings may be explained in terms of the social environment surrounding gay men which places an emphasis on the body and appearance, as well as in terms of gender role socialization and communication regarding the prime role of physical appearance for women, regardless of sexual orientation. The PSC vulnerability that emerges for gay men in our study seems particularly relevant to mental health professionals working with sexual minorities.

Sexual minority women’s attitudes toward infants, children, and parenthood

Little is known about the experiences of lesbian and bisexual women with infants or children or about their views on trade-offs required by parenthood. In this study, we examined how reactions to experiences with infants/children, perceived trade-offs of parenthood, and self-reported nurturance vary as a function of women’s sexual orientation. Two hundred cisgender childless women (53 lesbian, 57 plurisexual, 90 heterosexual) from the United States, recruited via social media, participated in this study. Results showed that lesbian women reported more negative attitudes toward infants/children and parenthood than did heterosexual women. Self-reported nurturance did not differ as a function of sexual orientation. Overall, lesbian women reported that they had less favorable experiences with infants and/or children and that they anticipated more social and economic costs involved with parenthood than did heterosexual women. Lesbian women also reported lower aspirations for parenthood than heterosexual women, and this was largely accounted for by differences in perceptions of the trade-offs involved with parenthood. Plurisexual women did not differ from lesbian or heterosexual women on any outcome. These results contribute to our understanding of why lesbian women are, on average, less likely than heterosexual women to aspire to parenthood.

Sexual orientation and sleep difficulties: a review of research

Is sexual orientation associated with sleep difficulties? In this article, we review empirical evidence that addresses this question. Stress is associated with sleep difficulties such as insomnia and, because members of sexual minorities experience greater stress, on average, than do others, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals can be expected to report more sleep difficulties than their heterosexual peers. We reviewed 17 studies published since 1990, with data gathered from more than 600,000 individuals; some included data on both quantity and quality of sleep. In nine of 12 relevant studies, at least some sexual minority individuals reported shorter sleep duration than did heterosexual individuals, on average. In nine of 10 relevant studies, sexual minority individuals reported lower quality sleep, on average. Few data were available about other aspects of sleep as a function of sexual orientation. No investigators found LGB people to have fewer sleep difficulties than did heterosexual individuals. We conclude that, although research in this area is new and still limited in some respects, sleep difficulties are more common among LGB than heterosexual people. Our conclusion suggests the possibility that sleep difficulties may underlie known health disparities among members of sexual minorities. Further research is needed to evaluate differences in sleep difficulties among members of sexual minorities, and to explore treatment options for LGB individuals suffering from sleep difficulties.

Predictors of parenting intentions among childless lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adults.

Disparities in the intention to parent have been found for lesbian and gay individuals compared with heterosexual individuals, but little is known about what social contexts predict these differences. Qualities of family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships may all play a role, but these have not been studied as a function of sexual orientation. Using a large national sample of adults in the United States, this study explored intentions for parenthood, ideal family size, and predictors of parenting intentions as a function of gender and sexual orientation. Results showed that fewer lesbian and gay than heterosexual individuals intended to become parents. In addition, among those who intended parenthood, lesbian and gay individuals reported smaller intended family sizes than did their heterosexual peers. Sociocontextual and demographic variables predicted parenting intentions similarly among all participants, regardless of sexual orientation. However, dissimilarities in the levels of these predictors explained some of the disparity in parenting intentions between lesbian/gay and heterosexual participants. Much remains to be learned about the role of sexual orientation in family formation processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Interpersonal Vulnerability and Its Association with Depressive Symptoms Among Gay and Heterosexual Men

The current study aimed to examine whether Israeli gay men reported higher interpersonal vulnerability in comparison with matched Israeli heterosexual men and to further assess the association between interpersonal vulnerability and depressive symptoms as a function of sexual orientation. Israeli gay men (N = 474) were individually matched with Israeli heterosexual men (N = 474) who completed measures of hostile-world scenario (HWS) in the interpersonal domain and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that gay men reported higher interpersonal vulnerability and higher depressive symptoms in comparison with heterosexual men. Also, a stronger positive association was found between interpersonal vulnerability and depressive symptoms among gay, in comparison with heterosexual, men. The findings may be explained in terms of minority stress, stigma, family and peer rejection, as well as discriminatory local policies regarding sexual minority rights, which serve as potential contributors to more interpersonal concerns and more depressive symptoms among gay, in comparison with heterosexual, men.

Attachment avoidance and parenthood desires in gay men and lesbians and their heterosexual counterparts

ABSTRACTObjective: We explored the desire to be a parent, attachment avoidance and their associations in a sample of gay men and lesbians and their heterosexual counterparts.Background: Previous research suggested a link between minority stress and higher attachment avoidance. However, the association between attachment avoidance and parenthood desires as a function of sexual orientation was not studied.Methods: The sample was composed of 883 community-dwelling participants (51.1% women, 30.57% identified as gay men and 14.15% as lesbians) that were recruited through convenience sampling.Results: Gay men and lesbians reported less desire to be parents than their heterosexual counterparts and higher attachment avoidance. However, the association between attachment avoidance and less desire for parenthood was moderated by sexual orientation, such that the correlation between attachment avoidance and lesser desire for parenthood was only found for heterosexual men and women.Conclusion: These findings pinpoint the potential vulnerability of gay men and lesbians to develop greater attachment avoidance and the impact of sexual orientation on the association between attachment avoidance and the desire to be a parent. The moderation effect is discussed in terms of the specific reproductive alternatives available to gay men and lesbians vs. the heterosexual population.

Sexual Orientation, Relationships with Parents, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms among Adults

Disparities in depressive symptoms as a function of sexual orientation have been well documented, but less is known about their origins. This study examines whether, even in adulthood, less favorable parental relationships are associated with disparities in depressive symptoms as a function of sexual orientation. Cross-sectional data were drawn from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) participants reported lower quality parental relationships, greater stress, and more depressive symptoms than did heterosexual participants. Lower quality parental relationships were associated with higher stress. Higher stress and lower quality parental relationships were associated with more depressive symptoms. GLB individuals reported lower father relationship quality and higher stress, which partially mediated the association of sexuality and depressive symptoms. Lesbian and bisexual women reported lower mother relationship quality and higher stress, which fully mediated the association of sexuality and depressive symptoms. While no differences in mother relationship quality existed for men, mother relationship quality was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms for gay and bisexual men than for heterosexual men. Even in adulthood, greater stress and depressive symptoms among GLB individuals were at least partially accounted for by less favorable parental relationships.

Organizational Religious Activity, Hypertension, and Sexual Orientation: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample.

Hypertension is a major public health concern, given prevalence and morbidity. Among the general population, greater religious attendance is associated with lower blood pressure (BP). However, no known studies have examined the association between religious attendance and BP among sexual minorities. To examine the association between BP/hypertension and organizational religious activity as a function of sexual orientation. Data were utilized from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a publicly available, U.S. nationally representative data set. Of the 4,874 individuals included in analyses, 366 participants were identified as a sexual minority. An organizational religious activity variable was created by summing responses of two separate items. BP was measured as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Increasing levels of clinical severity of hypertension were also examined. Relevant covariates were controlled for in two separate models. Significant interactions between religious attendance and sexual orientation were explored in simple slope analyses. Overall, results indicated that sexual orientation moderated the association between organizational religious activity, and BP/hypertension. Crossover interactions were present for the dependent variables SBP, DBP, and prehypertension and higher (prehypertension, and hypertension 1 and 2). Generally, a negative association between organizational religious activity and hypertension was revealed among the heterosexual group, whereas a positive association was found among the sexual minority group. Organizational religious activity is differentially associated with BP/hypertension among sexual minority versus heterosexual individuals. Organizational religious activity may represent a risk factor for hypertension among sexual minority individuals.

Anabolic Steroid Misuse Among US Adolescent Boys: Disparities by Sexual Orientation and Race/Ethnicity.

To examine the prevalence of anabolic steroid misuse among US adolescent boys as a function of sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. We analyzed boys from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 6248; mean age = 16), a representative sample of US high school students. Lifetime prevalence of anabolic steroid misuse was dichotomized as never versus 1 or more times. Sexual minority boys reported elevated misuse compared with heterosexual boys, within each level of race/ethnicity. Black, Hispanic, and White sexual minority boys reported misuse at approximately 25%, 20%, and 9%, respectively. Sexual orientation health disparities in anabolic steroid misuse disproportionally affect Black and Hispanic sexual minority adolescent boys, but more research is needed to understand the mechanisms driving these disparities.