Characteristics of childhood sexual abuse in lesbians and heterosexual women

Wilsnack, Sharon C.; Kristjanson, Arlinda F.; Hughes, Tonda L.; Benson, Perry W.

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.10.008

Cited by 45 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Findings from several studies reported that a majority of LGB participants had attended psychotherapy, which may increase an individual’s recognition of family dysfunction and comfort in disclosing ‘taboo’ information [40], [41], [42]. Further, it is possible that, given the social stigma leveled against LGB identity, sexual minorities may spend considerable time reflecting on the meaning of identity, authenticity, and the ways in which developmental experiences may have shaped their lives [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Results from a Multi-State Probability-Based Sample

2013

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BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (e.g., physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, parental discord, familial mental illness, incarceration and substance abuse) constitute a major public health problem in the United States. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale is a standardized measure that captures multiple developmental risk factors beyond sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (i.e., sexual minority) individuals may experience disproportionately higher prevalence of adverse childhood experiences.PurposeTo examine, using the ACE scale, prevalence of childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and childhood household dysfunction among sexual minority and heterosexual adults.MethodsAnalyses were conducted using a probability-based sample of data pooled from three U.S. states’ Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys (Maine, Washington, Wisconsin) that administered the ACE scale and collected information on sexual identity (n = 22,071).ResultsCompared with heterosexual respondents, gay/lesbian and bisexual individuals experienced increased odds of six of eight and seven of eight adverse childhood experiences, respectively. Sexual minority persons had higher rates of adverse childhood experiences (IRR = 1.66 gay/lesbian; 1.58 bisexual) compared to their heterosexual peers.ConclusionsSexual minority individuals have increased exposure to multiple developmental risk factors beyond physical, sexual and emotional abuse. We recommend the use of the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale in future research examining health disparities among this minority population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Results from a Multi-State Probability-Based Sample

2013

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“…Recently, Roberts and colleagues found that childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse were more prevalent among women who scored in the top decile of childhood gender nonconformity compared with those below the median of nonconformity. 56 These authors conclude that gender nonconformity is an important indicator of increased risk of victimization during childhood—both among children who later identify as sexual minority and among those who later identify as heterosexual. Gender nonconformity has also been identified as a risk factor for sexual and physical violence perpetrated against adult women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lifetime Victimization, Hazardous Drinking, and Depression Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Women

et al. 2014

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Purpose Substantial research documents sexual-orientation-related mental health disparities, but relatively few studies have explored underlying causes of these disparities. The goals of this paper were to (1) understand how differences in sexual identity and victimization experiences influence risk of hazardous drinking and depression, and (2) describe variations across sexual minority subgroups. Methods We pooled data from the 2001 National Study of Health and Life Experiences of Women (NSHLEW) and the 2001 Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study to compare rates of victimization, hazardous drinking, and depression between heterosexual women and sexual minority women (SMW), and to test the relationship between number of victimization experiences and the study outcomes in each of five sexual identity subgroups. Results Rates of each of the major study variables varied substantially by sexual identity, with bisexual and mostly heterosexual women showing significantly higher risk than heterosexual women on one or both of the study outcomes. Number of victimization experiences explained some, but not all, of the risk of hazardous drinking and depression among SMW. Conclusions Although victimization plays an important role, sexual-minority-specific stressors, such as stigma and discrimination, likely also helps explain substance use and mental health disparities among SMW.

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“…In the general population, several studies have demonstrated that LB women are more likely to report sexual and physical abuse in both childhood and adolescence,27–30 as well as higher levels of sexual assault in adulthood 28,31,32. Data from population-based studies also indicate that sexual minority status among women is associated with hazardous drinking,33–37 smoking,33,34,36,38 obesity,39,40 and mood and anxiety disorders, including PTSD 34,41–43…”

Section: Women Veterans and Lb Women: Striking Similarities In Traumamentioning

confidence: 99%

Incorporating Lesbian and Bisexual Women into Women Veterans’ Health Priorities

Lehavot

Simpson

2013

J GEN INTERN MED

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Relative to the general population, lesbian and bisexual (LB) women are overrepresented in the military and are significantly more likely to have a history of military service compared to all adult women. Due to institutional policies and stigma associated with a gay or lesbian identity, very little empirical research has been done on this group of women veterans. Available data suggest that compared to heterosexual women veterans, LB women veterans are likely to experience heightened levels of prejudice and discrimination, victimization, including greater incidence of rape, as well as adverse health and substance use disorders. They are also likely to encounter a host of unique issues when accessing health care, including fears of insensitive care and difficulty disclosing sexual orientation to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers. Training of staff and providers, education efforts, outreach activities, and research on this subpopulation are critical to ensure equitable and high quality service delivery.

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Characteristics of childhood sexual abuse in lesbians and heterosexual women

Cited by 45 publications

References 26 publications

Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Results from a Multi-State Probability-Based Sample

Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Results from a Multi-State Probability-Based Sample

Lifetime Victimization, Hazardous Drinking, and Depression Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Women

Incorporating Lesbian and Bisexual Women into Women Veterans’ Health Priorities

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