Verbal victimisation and mental health of sexual minority adults in France

Abstract

Objectives Sexual minority individuals face minority stress, and specific discrimination and abuse that might increase their risk of having mental health problems. We examine associations between sexual orientation, experienced violence in the past year, and mental health outcomes in a representative sample of French adults aged 18 to 75 years. Methods Analyses were based on the “Health Barometer” (Baromètre Santé) a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey which recruited 25,198 adults in 2017. Data were weighted to be representative of the French adult population. Four mental health outcomes occurring in the preceding year or currently were examined: a) current depressive symptoms, b) having experienced a major depressive episode, c) suicidal ideation, and d) suicide attempt. We conducted mediation analysis using the counterfactual approach to evaluate the contribution that verbal violence victimisation experience in the preceding year has in the association between sexual orientation and mental health outcomes. Results Sexual minority adults were more likely to experience verbal violence in the last year compared to heterosexual individuals (22% vs 11.4%). They were also more likely to have experienced each of the four mental health outcomes. Verbal victimisation in the preceding was found to significantly mediate the association between sexual orientation and mental health outcome with mediated proportions varying between 15 to 22%. Discussion Initiatives that aim to structurally reduce stigma and victimisation against sexual minority individuals, but also improve social support and resilience, could have a significant impact on their mental health and well-being. Key messages Sexual minority adults are more likely to experience verbal violence, and mental health problems. Verbal victimisation partly explains the increased risk of having mental health problems among sexual minority individuals.