Citation
Everett, B. (2009). Sexual minority status trajectories and mental health: A longitudinal analyses.
Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association. San Francisco, California.
Abstract
There exists a well-established relationship between sexual minority status and worse mental health. This literature, however, is largely based on cross-sectional, clinical and community samples. Furthermore, it often fails to incorporate differential sexual identity developmental trajectories into its models. This paper addresses these limitations by using a large, longitudinal nationally representative sample to examine how the timing and patterns of sexual minority status identification influences both self-reported depression and suicidal thoughts. I find that those female respondents who delay sexual minority status identification experience increased suicidal thought as adolescents as well as young adults, while those individuals who transition out of sexual minority status experience no future adverse mental health outcomes. Among boys, in adolescents, identifying as a sexual minority, whether they transition in or out of this status is associated with increased suicidal thoughts. In adulthood, however, only those who delay have increased risk. These findings highlight the importance of including the timing and pattern of sexual identity development as an important mechanism through which mental health can be improved. Public policies should not only focus on helping those individuals who have already identified sexual minorities access and utilize mental health resources, but ensure that resources are in place to help facilitate the coming out process for sexual minorities who are beginning or wish to identify as sexual minorities.
Reference Type
Conference proceeding
Book Title
Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association
Author(s)
Everett, B.
Year Published
2009
City of Publication
San Francisco, California
Reference ID
5053
