 |
|
Same-Sex Sexual Behavior and Psychiatric Disorders
Findings From the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS)
Theo G. M. Sandfort, PhD;
Ron de Graaf, PhD;
Rob V. Bijl, PhD;
Paul Schnabel, PhD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2001;58:85-91.
Background It has been suggested that homosexuality is associated with psychiatric
morbidity. This study examined differences between heterosexually and homosexually
active subjects in 12-month and lifetime prevalence of DSM-III-R mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in a representative
sample of the Dutch population (N = 7076; aged 18-64 years).
Methods Data were collected in face-to-face interviews, using the Composite
International Diagnostic Interview. Classification as heterosexual or homosexual
was based on reported sexual behavior in the preceding year. Five thousand
nine hundred ninety-eight (84.8%) of the total sample could be classified:
2.8% of 2878 men and 1.4% of 3120 women had had same-sex partners. Differences
in prevalence rates were tested by logistic regression analyses, controlling
for demographics.
Results Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent among homosexually active
people compared with heterosexually active people. Homosexual men had a higher
12-month prevalence of mood disorders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.93; 95% confidence
interval [CI] = 1.54-5.57) and anxiety disorders (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.44-4.74)
than heterosexual men. Homosexual women had a higher 12-month prevalence of
substance use disorders (OR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.56-10.47) than heterosexual
women. Lifetime prevalence rates reflect identical differences, except for
mood disorders, which were more frequently observed in homosexual than in
heterosexual women (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.26-4.63). The proportion of persons
with 1 or more diagnoses differed only between homosexual and heterosexual
women (lifetime OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.31-5.19). More homosexual than heterosexual
persons had 2 or more disorders during their lifetimes (homosexual men: OR
= 2.70; 95% CI = 1.66-4.41; homosexual women: OR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.07-4.09).
Conclusion The findings support the assumption that people with same-sex sexual
behavior are at greater risk for psychiatric disorders.
From Utrecht University (Drs Sandfort and Schnabel), the Netherlands
Institute of Social Sexological Research (Dr Sandfort), and the Netherlands
Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Drs de Graaf and Bijl), Utrecht,
the Netherlands; and the Social and Cultural Planning Office of the Netherlands,
The Hague (Dr Schnabel).
Corresponding author: Theo G. M. Sandfort, PhD, Department of Clinical
Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
(e-mail: t.sandfort{at}fss.uu.nl).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
The protective effects of social/contextual factors on psychiatric morbidity in LGB populations
Hatzenbuehler et al.
Int J Epidemiol 2011;40:1071-1080.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Mental health of the non-heterosexual population of England
Chakraborty et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2011;198:143-148.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Longitudinal Alcohol Use Patterns Among Adolescents: Findings From the Growing Up Today Study
Corliss et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008;162:1071-1078.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
An Integrated Model of Gay Men's Depressive Symptoms
Josephson and Whiffen
Am J Mens Health 2007;1:60-72.
ABSTRACT
Sexual molestation of males: associations with psychological disturbance
KING et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2002;181:153-157.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Sexual orientation and mental health: results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults
JORM et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2002;180:423-427.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Psychiatric Disorders and Drug Use Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Adults in the United States
Bing et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:721-728.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
