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Physical health complaints among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals: Results from the California quality of life survey

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  • Cochran, S.D.
  • Mays, V.M.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined evidence that minority sexual orientation is associated with more-frequent reports of physical health complaints. We also investigated the possible role of HIV infection among gay men and higher rates of psychological distress among lesbians, gay men, and bisexually and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals in generating these health disparities. Methods. We used data from the California Quality of Life Survey (N=2272 adults) to examine associations between sexual orientation and self-reports about physical health status, common health conditions, disabilities, and psychological distress. Results. Prevalent HIV infection was reported by nearly 18% of gay, bisexual, and homosexually experienced heterosexual men. Gay men and bisexual and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals had higher levels of psychological distress compared with exclusively heterosexual individuals. Self-reported physical health status varied by gender and by sexual orientation. Conclusions. Lesbians and bisexual and homosexually experienced heterosexual women reported a greater variety of health conditions and limitations compared with exclusively heterosexual women; however, these differences mostly disappeared when distress levels were taken into account. Among men, differences in health complaints appeared to reflect the ongoing burden of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in the gay male community.

Suggested Citation

  • Cochran, S.D. & Mays, V.M., 2007. "Physical health complaints among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals: Results from the California quality of life survey," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(11), pages 2048-2055.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2006.087254_0
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.087254
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Strohm & Judith Seltzer & Susan Cochran & Vickie Mays, 2009. ""Living Apart Together" relationships in the United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 21(7), pages 177-214.
    2. Kelly Horn & James A. Swartz, 2019. "A Comparative Analysis of Lifetime Medical Conditions and Infectious Diseases by Sexual Identity, Attraction, and Concordance among Women: Results from a National U.S. Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Kamila A Alexander & Ellen M Volpe & Sarah Abboud & Jacquelyn C Campbell, 2016. "Reproductive coercion, sexual risk behaviours and mental health symptoms among young low‐income behaviourally bisexual women: implications for nursing practice," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(23-24), pages 3533-3544, December.
    4. Cantet, Natalia & Feld, Brian & Hernández, Mónica, 2024. "Is there discrimination against children of same-sex households? Evidence from an experimental study in Colombia," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    5. Bethany Everett & Stefanie Mollborn, 2014. "Examining Sexual Orientation Disparities in Unmet Medical Needs Among Men and Women," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 33(4), pages 553-577, August.
    6. M Reuel Friedman & Chongyi Wei & Mary Lou Klem & Anthony J Silvestre & Nina Markovic & Ron Stall, 2014. "HIV Infection and Sexual Risk among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, January.
    7. Susan J Roberts & Eileen M Stuart‐Shor & Rachel A Oppenheimer, 2010. "Lesbians’ attitudes and beliefs regarding overweight and weight reduction," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(13‐14), pages 1986-1994, July.
    8. Billy A Caceres & Abraham Brody & Deborah Chyun, 2016. "Recommendations for cardiovascular disease research with lesbian, gay and bisexual adults," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(23-24), pages 3728-3742, December.
    9. Peggy M. Zoccola & Andrew W. Manigault & Wilson S. Figueroa & Cari Hollenbeck & Anna Mendlein & Alex Woody & Katrina Hamilton & Matt Scanlin & Ryan C. Johnson, 2017. "Trait Rumination Predicts Elevated Evening Cortisol in Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.

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