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Disparities in health-related quality of life: A comparison of lesbians and bisexual women

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  • Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I.
  • Kim, H.-J.
  • Barkan, S.E.
  • Balsam, K.F.
  • Mincer, S.L.

Abstract

Objectives. We investigated the association of health-related quality of life v(HRQOL) with sexual orientation among lesbians and bisexual women and compared the predictors of HRQOL between the 2 groups. Methods. We used multivariate logistic regression to analyze Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System population-based data (2003 to 2007) in a sample of 1496 lesbians and bisexual women and examined determinants of HRQOL among lesbians and bisexual women. Results. For lesbians and bisexual women, frequent mental distress and poor general health were associated with poverty and lack of exercise; poor general health was associated with obesity and mental distress. Bisexual women showed a higher likelihood of frequent mental distress and poor general health than did lesbians. The odds of mental distress were higher for bisexual women living in urban areas as compared with nonurban areas. Lesbians had an elevated risk of poor general health and mental distress during midlife. Conclusions. Despite the standard practice of collapsing sexual minority women into a single group, lesbian and bisexual women in this study emerge as distinct groups that merit specific attention. Bisexual women are at elevated risk for poor HRQOL.

Suggested Citation

  • Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I. & Kim, H.-J. & Barkan, S.E. & Balsam, K.F. & Mincer, S.L., 2010. "Disparities in health-related quality of life: A comparison of lesbians and bisexual women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(11), pages 2255-2261.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2009.177329_2
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.177329
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    Cited by:

    1. Kathryn Mazurek & Wei Xue & Marissa Beldon, 2022. "Impact of ACA implementation on health related quality of life among those with depressive disorders in the United States: A secondary data analysis of the 2011-2017 BRFSS," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(3), pages 1-14, March.
    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. Crouch, Elizabeth & Jones, Jennifer & Strompolis, Melissa & Merrick, Melissa, 2020. "Examining the association between ACEs, childhood poverty and neglect, and physical and mental health: Data from two state samples," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Elizabeth J. Ela & Jamie Budnick, 2017. "Non-Heterosexuality, Relationships, and Young Women’s Contraceptive Behavior," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(3), pages 887-909, June.
    5. Vanja Lazarevic & Elizabeth G. Holman & Ramona Faith Oswald & Karen Z. Kramer, 2016. "Relations Between Economic Well-Being, Family Support, Community Attachment, and Life Satisfaction Among LGBQ Adults," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 594-606, December.
    6. Ssirai Kim & Smi Choi-Kwon, 2021. "Physical and Mental Health Related Quality of Life and Their Influencing Factors on Sexual Minority Women in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Ning Hsieh & Hui Liu, 2019. "Bisexuality, Union Status, and Gender Composition of the Couple: Reexamining Marital Advantage in Health," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(5), pages 1791-1825, October.
    8. Persson, Tonje J. & Pfaus, James G. & Ryder, Andrew G., 2015. "Explaining mental health disparities for non-monosexual women: Abuse history and risky sex, or the burdens of non-disclosure?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 366-373.

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