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Mollborn S, Limburg A, Everett BG. Mothers' Sexual Identity and Children's Health. POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2022; 41:1217-1239. [PMID: 35934998 PMCID: PMC9355333 DOI: 10.1007/s11113-021-09688-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Sexual minority women face a plethora of structural, socioeconomic, and interpersonal disadvantages and stressors. Research has established negative associations between women's sexual minority identities and both their own health and their infants' birth outcomes. Yet a separate body of scholarship has documented similarities in the development and well-being of children living with same-sex couples relative to those living with similarly situated different-sex couples. This study sought to reconcile these literatures by examining the association between maternal sexual identity and child health at ages 5-18 using a US sample from the full population of children of sexual minority women, including those who identify as mostly heterosexual, bisexual, or lesbian, regardless of partner sex or gender. Analyses using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N=8,978) followed women longitudinally and examined several measures of their children's health, including general health and specific developmental and physical health conditions. Analyses found that children of mostly heterosexual and bisexual women experienced health disadvantages relative to children of heterosexual women, whereas the few children of lesbian women in our sample evidenced a mixture of advantages and disadvantages. These findings underscore that to understand sexual orientation disparities and the intergenerational transmission of health, it is important to incorporate broad measurement of sexual orientation that can capture variation in family forms and in sexual minority identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Mollborn
- Department of Sociology, Stockholm University
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder
| | - Aubrey Limburg
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder
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Campbell A, Perales F, Baxter J. Changes in Sexual Identity Labels in a Contemporary Cohort of Emerging Adult Women: Patterns, Prevalence and a Typology. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2021; 58:612-624. [PMID: 32853048 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1814092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction, behavior and identity are subject to change across the life course for some individuals, and certain developmental periods such as emerging adulthood appear particularly conducive to this. However, the evidence documenting these phenomena comes overwhelmingly from data collected 10-20 years ago. In the brief interlude since, the socio-political context has changed markedly and increasing numbers of women are reporting non-heterosexuality. Drawing on contemporary data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (n = 16,870), we provide up to date evidence on changes in sexual identity labels among emerging adult women. We found that 19% of women changed their sexual identity label from one survey wave to the next, and 30.6% changed their identity label at least once across the four waves. Mostly heterosexual and bisexual labels were both more common and more stable in our sample than in previous studies. We propose a new typology of sexual identity sequences and fit this to our data, providing a blueprint for researchers looking to define sexual minority status longitudinally. Findings suggest that the ways women perceive and label their sexual orientation should be treated as dynamic phenomena situated within the nested temporalities of biographical and historical time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Campbell
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland
| | | | - Janeen Baxter
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland
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Felner JK, Wisdom JP, Williams T, Katuska L, Haley SJ, Jun HJ, Corliss HL. Stress, Coping, and Context: Examining Substance Use Among LGBTQ Young Adults With Probable Substance Use Disorders. Psychiatr Serv 2020; 71:112-120. [PMID: 31640522 PMCID: PMC7002176 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201900029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors qualitatively examined how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) young adults with probable substance use disorders conceptualized their substance use vis-à-vis their LGBTQ identities. METHODS Individual, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 59 LGBTQ young adults (ages 21-34) who were participants in a larger longitudinal cohort study and who met criteria for a probable substance use disorder. Data were analyzed via iterative, thematic analytic processes. RESULTS Participants' narratives highlighted processes related to minority stress that shape substance use, including proximal LGBTQ stressors (e.g., self-stigma and expectations of rejection) and distal LGBTQ stressors (e.g., interpersonal and structural discrimination) and associated coping. Participants also described sociocultural influences, including the ubiquitous availability of substances within LGBTQ social settings, as salient contributors to their substance use and development of substance use disorders. Participants who considered themselves transgender or other gender minorities, all of whom identified as sexual minorities, described unique stressors and coping at the intersection of their minority identities (e.g., coping with two identity development and disclosure periods), which shaped their substance use over time. CONCLUSIONS Multilevel minority stressors and associated coping via substance use in adolescence and young adulthood, coupled with LGBTQ-specific sociocultural influences, contribute to the development of substance use disorders among some LGBTQ young adults. Treatment providers should address clients' substance use vis-à-vis their LGBTQ identities and experiences with related stressors and sociocultural contexts and adopt culturally humble and LGBTQ-affirming treatment approaches. Efforts to support LGBTQ youths and young adults should focus on identifying ways of socializing outside of substance-saturated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Felner
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Jennifer P Wisdom
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Tenneill Williams
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Laura Katuska
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Sean J Haley
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Hee-Jin Jun
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
| | - Heather L Corliss
- School of Public Health and Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, San Diego State University, San Diego (Felner, Jun, Corliss); Wisdom Consulting, New York (Wisdom); Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Williams) and Department of Health Policy and Management (Haley), Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston (Katuska)
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Luk JW, Sita KR, Gilman SE, Goldstein RB, Haynie DL, Simons-Morton BG. Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Developmental Transition in Emerging Adulthood: Disparities in School, Work, Residence, and Transportation. J Adolesc Health 2018; 63:649-651. [PMID: 30077549 PMCID: PMC8386292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine associations between adolescent sexual minority status and developmental transitions in school, work, residence, and transportation 5 years later. METHOD We analyzed data from Waves 2 (Mean age = 17.2) and 7 (Mean age = 22.6) of the NEXT Generation Health Study (n = 2,000). Relative risks were estimated using Poisson regressions. RESULTS Relative to heterosexual females, sexual minority females were more likely to report not attending school (relative risk [RR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.59), not anticipating college completion (RR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.27, 2.01), and not having a driver's license (RR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.38, 5.05) at Wave 7. Relative to heterosexual males, sexual minority males were more likely to report living in three or more places in the past year (RR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.31, 6.76). CONCLUSIONS Adolescent sexual minority status predicted worse educational outcomes among females and more unstable living environment among males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W. Luk
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kellienne R. Sita
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen E. Gilman
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland,Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Risë B. Goldstein
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Denise L. Haynie
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Bruce G. Simons-Morton
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland
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Toomey RB, Ryan C, Diaz RM, Russell ST. Coping With Sexual Orientation-Related Minority Stress. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2018; 65:484-500. [PMID: 28441107 PMCID: PMC5656566 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2017.1321888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about how adolescents cope with minority stressors related to sexual orientation. This study examined 245 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adult's (ages 21-25) retrospective reports of coping in response to LGB minority stress during adolescence (ages 13-19) to test the reliability and validity of a measure of minority stress coping. Further, the study examined associations between LGB minority stress coping and young adult psychosocial adjustment and high school attainment. Validation and reliability was found for three minority stress coping strategies: LGB-specific strategies (e.g., involvement with LGBT organizations), alternative-seeking strategies (e.g., finding new friends), and cognitive strategies (e.g., imagining a better future). LGB-specific strategies were associated with better psychosocial adjustment and greater likelihood of high school attainment in young adulthood, whereas alternative-seeking and cognitive-based strategies were associated with poorer adjustment and less likelihood of high school attainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell B. Toomey
- Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, The University of Arizona
| | - Caitlin Ryan
- Family Acceptance Project, San Francisco State University,
| | - Rafael M. Diaz
- Family Acceptance Project, San Francisco State University,
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Pearson J, Wilkinson L. Same-Sex Sexuality and Educational Attainment: The Pathway to College. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2016; 64:538-576. [PMID: 27230982 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1194114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Research finds lower levels of academic performance among sexual minority high school students, but some studies suggest sexual minorities have higher levels of educational attainment in adulthood. To further our understanding of how and why sexual orientation is associated with educational success, this study turns attention to the pathways to college completion, examining points along educational trajectories in which sexual minorities fall behind or surpass their heterosexual peers. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we find that sexual minority women are less likely than women with no same-sex sexuality to complete college, in part due to their high school performance and transition into college. Men who experience same-sex sexuality only in adolescence struggle in high school, but men who experience same-sex sexuality for the first time in adulthood are more likely to earn a college degree than men who do not experience same-sex sexuality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Pearson
- a Department of Sociology , Wichita State University , Wichita , Kansas , USA
| | - Lindsey Wilkinson
- b Department of Sociology , Portland State University , Portland , Oregon , USA
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Mollborn S, Everett B. Understanding the Educational Attainment of Sexual Minority Women and Men. RESEARCH IN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND MOBILITY 2015; 41:40-55. [PMID: 26257457 PMCID: PMC4524744 DOI: 10.1016/j.rssm.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
National studies have not analyzed sexual identity disparities in high school completion, college enrollment, or college completion in the United States. Using Add Health data, we document the relationship between adult sexual orientation and each of these outcomes. Many sexual minority respondents experienced disadvantages in adolescent academic achievement, school experiences, and social environments. This translates into educational attainment in complex, gendered ways. We find that the socially privileged completely heterosexual identity predicts higher educational attainment for women, while for men it is often a liability. Mostly heterosexual and gay identities are educationally beneficial for men but not women. There are college completion disparities between gay and mostly heterosexual women and their completely heterosexual counterparts. Bisexual respondents, especially women, have particularly problematic outcomes. Adolescent experiences, attitudes, and social contexts explain some of these differences. From adolescence through college, sexual minority groups, but especially females, need intervention to reduce substantial educational disparities.
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