Sexual orientation and mental health in a birth cohort of young adults
Sexual orientation and mental health in a birth cohort of young adults
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DOI：
10.1017/s0033291704004222
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发表时间：
2005-07-01
影响因子：
6.9
通讯作者：
Beautrais, AL
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Fergusson, DM;Horwood, LJ;Beautrais, AL
背景。本文旨在探讨新西兰出生队列研究到 25 岁的性取向与心理健康之间的关系。方法。该分析基于基督城健康与发展研究中的 967 名参与者（469 名男性；498 名女性）样本。作为本研究的一部分，收集了以下方面的信息： (a) 21 岁和 25 岁时获得的性取向、同性行为和性吸引力的测量； (b) 21-25年间精神障碍和自杀行为的测量； (c) 童年和家庭背景的测量。结果。潜在类别分析用于结合性取向、同性行为和吸引力指标，形成基于经验的性取向分类。最佳拟合模型将样本分为三组：纯异性恋取向（87-6%）；主要是异性恋，但有同性倾向或经验（9-6%）；主要是同性恋（2-8%）。被归类为以异性恋为主的女性（分别为 14-2 % 和 4-8 %）或以同性恋为主（分别为 3-9 % 和 1-5 %）的女性比例多于男性。以同性恋取向为主的队列成员的精神障碍和自杀行为发生率比完全异性恋取向的成员高出 1-5 至 12 倍。在对混杂因素进行调整后，这些关联仍然存在。男性性取向与心理健康之间的关联比女性更显着。结论。研究结果表明，年轻人的性偏好存在连续性。性取向的变化与心理健康明显相关。这些关联对于男性来说往往更强烈。
Background. This paper sought to examine the relationship between sexual orientation and mental health in a New Zealand birth cohort studied to age 25 years.Method. The analysis is based on a sample of 967 participants (469 males; 498 females) in the Christchurch Health and Development Study. As part of this study information was gathered on: (a) measures of sexual orientation, same-sex behaviour and sexual attraction obtained at ages 21 and 25 years; (b) measures of mental disorders and suicidal behaviours over the interval 21-25 years; (c) measures of childhood and family background.Results. Latent class analysis was used to combine indicators of sexual orientation, same sex behaviour and attraction to form an empirically based classification of sexual orientation. The best-fitting model classified the sample into three groups: exclusively heterosexual orientation (87-6 %); predominantly heterosexual but with same-sex inclinations or experience (9-6%); predominantly homosexual (2-8 %). Proportionately more women than men were classified as predominantly heterosexual (14-2 % v. 4-8 % respectively) or predominantly homosexual (3-9 % v. 1-5 % respectively). Cohort members with a predominantly homosexual orientation had rates of mental disorder and suicidal behaviours that were between 1-5 and 12 times higher than for those with an exclusively heterosexual orientation. These associations persisted after adjustment for confounding. The associations between sexual orientation and mental health were more marked for males than females.Conclusions. The findings suggest a continuum of sexual preferences amongst young adults. Variations in sexual orientation were clearly associated with mental health. These associations tended to be stronger for males.