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Engstrom CW, West BT, Schepis TS, McCabe SE. Does the approach used to measure sexual identity affect estimates of health disparities differently by race? A randomized experiment from the National Survey of Family Growth. Soc Sci Med 2024; 350:116887. [PMID: 38678646 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
The inclusion of "something else" as a response option for survey questions about sexual identity has been shown to significantly moderate estimated differences between sexual identity subgroups in the distributions of various health outcomes in national health surveys, specifically for substance use/misuse and reproductive health. This moderation effect may be larger depending on the respondent's race, possibly due to the intersectionality of multiple minority identities and compounding minority stressors. To test this hypothesis, we conducted secondary analyses of data from five consecutive years of the National Survey of Family Growth (2015-2019) [n = 18,903 (8510 males, 10,393 females)] in the United States, where respondents were randomly assigned to receive either a four-category version of the sexual identity question that included "something else" as a response option along with lesbian/gay, bisexual, and heterosexual, or a three-category version that omitted "something else." We focused on model-based estimates of distributions of health outcomes across subgroups defined by both race and sexual identity and tested the race moderation hypothesis using three-way interactions involving sexual identity, question type received (four-category vs. three-category), and race (Black, White, and other). Based on this randomized experiment, we found evidence of significant differences between the four-category and three-category question versions of sexual identity, in terms of the associations between sexual identity and several health outcomes, along with moderation of these differences by the respondent's race. For some outcomes, such as wanting a child or another child, the magnitudes of the estimated sexual identity differences among racial minority individuals, specifically between bisexual and heterosexual women, were sensitive to the measurement of sexual identity. These results further suggest a need for improved sexual minority measurement, especially among racial minorities. These differences were also mostly found among women, suggesting further intersectionality of groups exposed to specific stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtiss W Engstrom
- Program in Survey and Data Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Brady T West
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ty S Schepis
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
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Harvey TD. "We're Here, We're Queer, Get Used to It": Advancing LGBTQ +-Inclusive Language in Public Health. Am J Public Health 2024; 114:170-172. [PMID: 38335477 PMCID: PMC10862209 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2023.307529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Harvey
- Tyler D. Harvey is with the Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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West BT, Engstrom CW, Schepis TS, Tani IJ, McCabe SE. How a "Something Else" Response Option for Sexual Identity Affects National Survey Estimates of Associations Between Sexual Identity, Reproductive Health, and Substance Use. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:107-126. [PMID: 37853260 PMCID: PMC10794379 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
This randomized experiment tested whether the inclusion of a "something else" response option for a question about sexual identity in a national health survey would significantly moderate estimated differences between sexual identity subgroups in terms of various health outcomes, including substance use and reproductive health. We conducted secondary analyses of data from five consecutive years of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG; 2015-2019), where two large national half-samples were randomly assigned to receive one of two different versions of a question about sexual identity (a four-category version that included a "something else" response option or a three-category version omitting this option). We focused on national estimates of differences between subgroups defined by sexual identity. Multivariable models indicated that the estimated subgroup differences changed in a statistically significant fashion when using the four-category version of the sexual identity question for several measures, including 16% of male measures (household size, past-year cigarette use, and past-year illicit drug use) and 15% of female measures (wanting a/another child, ever had a sexually transmitted disease, and past-year marijuana use). The absence of a "something else" response option for questions about sexual identity in national health surveys may cause respondents to select options that do not accurately describe their identities, and this can have a significant effect on national estimates of differences between sexual identity subgroups in terms of selected health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady T West
- Survey Research Center, 4118 Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 426 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, USA.
| | - Curtiss W Engstrom
- Program in Survey and Data Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ty S Schepis
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Ilmul J Tani
- Program in Survey and Data Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Caceres BA, Sharma Y, Ravindranath R, Ensari I, Rosendale N, Doan D, Streed CG. Differences in Ideal Cardiovascular Health Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults. JAMA Cardiol 2023; 8:335-346. [PMID: 36811854 PMCID: PMC9947804 DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2022.5660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Importance Research on the cardiovascular health (CVH) of sexual minority adults has primarily examined differences in the prevalence of individual CVH metrics rather than comprehensive measures, which has limited development of behavioral interventions. Objective To investigate sexual identity differences in CVH, measured using the American Heart Association's revised measure of ideal CVH, among adults in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study analyzed population-based data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2007-2016) in June 2022. Participants included noninstitutional adults aged 18 to 59 years. We excluded individuals who were pregnant at the time of their interview and those with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or heart failure. Exposures Self-identified sexual identity categorized as heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, or something else. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was ideal CVH (assessed using questionnaire, dietary, and physical examination data). Participants received a score from 0 to 100 for each CVH metric, with higher scores indicating a more favorable CVH profile. An unweighted average was calculated to determine cumulative CVH (range, 0-100), which was recoded as low, moderate, or high. Sex-stratified regression models were performed to examine sexual identity differences in CVH metrics, disease awareness, and medication use. Results The sample included 12 180 participants (mean [SD] age, 39.6 [11.7] years; 6147 male individuals [50.5%]). Lesbian (B = -17.21; 95% CI, -31.98 to -2.44) and bisexual (B = -13.76; 95% CI, -20.54 to -6.99) female individuals had less favorable nicotine scores than heterosexual female individuals. Bisexual female individuals had less favorable body mass index scores (B = -7.47; 95% CI, -12.89 to -1.97) and lower cumulative ideal CVH scores (B = -2.59; 95% CI, -4.84 to -0.33) than heterosexual female individuals. Compared with heterosexual male individuals, gay male individuals had less favorable nicotine scores (B = -11.43; 95% CI, -21.87 to -0.99) but more favorable diet (B = 9.65; 95% CI, 2.38-16.92), body mass index (B = 9.75; 95% CI, 1.25-18.25), and glycemic status scores (B = 5.28; 95% CI, 0.59-9.97). Bisexual male individuals were twice as likely as heterosexual male individuals to report a diagnosis of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.10-3.56) and use of antihypertensive medication (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.12-4.32). No differences in CVH were found between participants who reported their sexual identity as something else and heterosexual participants. Conclusion and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that bisexual female individuals had worse cumulative CVH scores than heterosexual female individuals, whereas gay male individuals generally had better CVH than heterosexual male individuals. There is a need for tailored interventions to improve the CVH of sexual minority adults, particularly bisexual female individuals. Future longitudinal research is needed to examine factors that might contribute to CVH disparities among bisexual female individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy A. Caceres
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
| | - Yashika Sharma
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
| | - Rohith Ravindranath
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
| | - Ipek Ensari
- Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Nicole Rosendale
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Danny Doan
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, New York
| | - Carl G. Streed
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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Evans-Polce RJ, Kcomt L, Veliz PT, Boyd CJ, McCabe SE. Mental health-related quality of life by sex and sexual identity among U.S. adults with alcohol and tobacco use disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 149:136-144. [PMID: 35276630 PMCID: PMC10712285 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and tobacco use disorder (TUD) are more severe among some sexual minority subgroups. It is less understood whether mental health indicators also differ by sexual identity among those with more severe forms of AUD and TUD. We examined differences in mental health-related QoL by sex-specific sexual identity subgroup among those meeting criteria for moderate-to-severe AUD or moderate-to-severe TUD. METHODS We analyzed data from the National Epidemiologic Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (2012-2013; n = 36,309). Our analyses focused on those meeting criteria for past-year moderate-to-severe AUD (n = 2341) and past-year moderate-to-severe TUD (n = 3675). Using multivariable linear regression, we examined associations of sex-specific sexual identity subgroups with mental health-related QoL, while controlling for (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) disorder severity, and (c) risk and protective factors (adverse childhood experiences, parental history of substance misuse, stressful life events, and social support). RESULTS Among those with past-year moderate-to-severe AUD, gay men and heterosexual, bisexual, and gay/lesbian women had significantly lower mental health-related QoL compared to heterosexual men in fully adjusted models. Among those with past-year moderate-to-severe TUD, gay men and heterosexual and gay/lesbian women had significantly lower mental health-related QoL compared to heterosexual women. Bisexual and heterosexual women were not significantly different in fully adjusted models. DISCUSSION Clinicians should consider the variability in mental health-related QoL among those with moderate-to-severe AUD and TUD particularly for women and sexual minorities. Consideration of current and past stressors and the degree of social support may be beneficial when conducting assessments and forming treatment plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Evans-Polce
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Luisa Kcomt
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Philip T Veliz
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Carol J Boyd
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sean Esteban McCabe
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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McCabe SE, Engstrom CW, Kcomt L, Evans-Polce R, West BT. Trends in binge drinking, marijuana use, illicit drug use, and polysubstance use by sexual identity in the United States (2006-2017). Subst Abuse 2022; 43:194-203. [PMID: 34344281 PMCID: PMC8770527 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.1913696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background: National studies often examine associations between sexual identity and substance use at a single point in time and neglect to examine whether these associations change over time. The present study examines U.S. trends in the past-year prevalence of binge drinking, marijuana use, illicit drug use, and polysubstance use across sexual identity subgroups (gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual). Methods: The data come from four independent, cross-sectional samples measured by the National Survey of Family Growth (2006-2010, 2011-2013, 2013-2015, and 2015-2017). Based on the consistency in the sampling procedures used over time, merging the four data sets was possible. The target population is men and women 15-44 years of age. Results: Lesbian women had the sharpest decline in past-year binge drinking over time, followed by heterosexual women. The prevalence of binge drinking for bisexual women did not change significantly over time and was higher in 2015-2017 than for any sexual identity subgroup. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of binge drinking among men by sexual identity subgroup. Past-year abstinence from substance use was consistently lower among lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual women relative to other sexual identity subgroups. Polysubstance use was consistently more prevalent among bisexual women (e.g., 32.3% in 2015-2017) as compared to other sexual identity subgroups. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine U.S. national trends in alcohol, marijuana, illicit drug, and polysubstance use across sexual identity subgroups, and demonstrates that sexual identity subgroup differences were robust with relatively few changes in trends over time. The consistently high rates of binge drinking and polysubstance use among bisexual women deserve much closer attention based on the related health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Esteban McCabe
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Curtiss W. Engstrom
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Luisa Kcomt
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rebecca Evans-Polce
- Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Brady T. West
- Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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