Substance use, mental health, and life satisfaction in Czech straight and sexual-minority population

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Pitonak ◽  
P Chomynová ◽  
V Mravčík
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Minority People

Abstract Background Evidence shows that sexual minorities are more vulnerable to substance use and psychological distress as a result of minority stress compared with heterosexuals. So far, research conducted outside North America or Western Europe has been underrepresented. This research compares for the first time the substance use, quality of mental health and life satisfaction between the sexual minority people and heterosexuals using a nationally representative probability sample in the Czech population. Methods Sample of the general population aged 15+ years surveyed within the National Survey on Substance Use in 2016 in randomly selected households (N = 3,601, F2F interviews). Prevalence of licit and illicit substance use, psychological distress (MHI-5 scale) and life satisfaction (SWLS scale) were analyzed by respondents' self-reported sexual identity and behaviors. Logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the differences between groups. Adjustment for basic sociodemographic characteristics was performed. Results 2.8% of adults identified as sexual minorities, including 0.5% lesbians or gays and 2.3% bisexuals. Sexual minorities were more likely to experiment with (illicit) substance use in the last 12 months (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03-2.94), more often experience psychological distress (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.50-4.38), and were slightly less often satisfied with their lives (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.46-1.37) compared to heterosexuals. Sexual minority status was not found as a significant predictor for daily tobacco smoking nor for frequent excessive/binge alcohol consumption. Conclusions In accordance with international evidence, sexual minorities represent a vulnerable group from the perspective of substance use and psychological distress. Factors influencing life satisfaction of sexual minority people living in geographically underrepresented regions need to be further investigated using measures more sensitive to local cultural circumstances.

Prevalence and Correlates to Lifetime Illicit Substance Use Among a National Sample of Hispanic Transgender Individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-162
Author(s):  
R. Andrew Yockey ◽  
Rebecca A. Vidourek ◽  
Keith A. King
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Hispanic Population ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Policy Analysts

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States. A growing body of literature suggests Hispanic individuals are at increased risk for substance use disorders. While much of the literature has focused on Hispanic heterosexual individuals, a paucity of literature has focused on Hispanic transgender individuals. More research is warranted on the prevalence and correlates to substance use among Hispanic sexual minorities, in particular Hispanic transgender individuals. The present study sought to examine correlates to lifetime illicit substance use among a national sample of transgender individuals. A secondary analysis of the 2015 Transgender Survey was conducted among 1,473 Hispanic transgender individuals. Weighted analyses reveal that 29% of Hispanic transgender individuals reported lifetime illicit substance use. Significant predictors included age and prior lifetime substance use. Recommendations for health professionals and policy analysts are included.

scholarly journals Substance Use, Mental Health, HIV Testing, and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the State of Maharashtra, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Michael Wilkerson ◽  
Angela Di Paola ◽  
Shruta Rawat ◽  
Pallav Patankar ◽  
B. R. Simon Rosser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hazardous Drinking ◽  
Illicit Substance ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Illicit Substance Use ◽  
Sex With Men

Among 433 men who have sex with men in Maharashtra, India who completed an online survey, 23% reported hazardous drinking, 12% illicit substance, and 9% polysubstance use. The overall prevalence of depression and intimate partner violence (IPV) were 58% and 56%, respectively. Participants engaging in hazardous drinking had more sexual partners and were less likely to be married to women. Participants reporting illicit substance use or polysubstance use were more likely to have been out, had more sexual partners, or experienced IPV. Those reporting illicit substance use were more likely to engage in condomless anal sex. Based on our findings, we suggest that public health interventions integrate HIV, substance use, and mental health services.

scholarly journals Ethnic and sexual identities: inequalities in adolescent health and wellbeing in a national population-based study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal R. Khanolkar ◽  
David M Frost ◽  
Evangeline Tabor ◽  
Victoria Redclift ◽  
Rebekah Amos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Ethnic Identities ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Health Related

Aims To examine inequalities related to dual sexual- and ethnic-identities in risk for health, wellbeing, and health-related behaviours in a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Methods 9,789 adolescents (51% female) aged 17 years from the UK-wide Millennium Cohort Study, with data on self-identified sexual- and ethnic-identities. Adolescents were grouped into White-Heterosexual, White sexual minority (White-SM), ethnic minority (EM)-heterosexual, and ethnic- and sexual minority (EM-SM). Mental health (e.g., self-reported psychological distress, doctor-diagnosed depression, attempted suicide, victimisation), general health (self-rated health, chronic illness, BMI) and a range of health-related behaviours (e.g., smoking, substance use) were assessed by questionnaires. Associations between dual identities and outcomes were analysed using logistic and linear regression (adjusted for sex and parental income). Results Sexual minorities (White:18% and ethnic minority:3%) had increased odds for mental ill-health and attempted suicide, with higher odds in White-SM than EM-SM. Compared to White-heterosexuals, White-SM and EM-SM had higher odds for psychological distress (OR 3.47/2.24 for White-SM/EM-SM respectively), and emotional problems (OR 3.17/1.65). White-SM and EM-SM had higher odds for attempted suicide (OR 2.78/2.02), self-harm (OR 3.06/1.52), and poor sleep quality (OR 1.88/1.67). In contrast, White-Heterosexual and White-SM groups had similarly high proportions reporting risky behaviours except for drug use (OR 1.34) and risky sex (OR 1.40) more common in White-SM individuals. EM-Heterosexuals and EM-SM individuals had decreased odds for health-related behaviours. Conclusions Sexual minorities (White and EM) had substantially worse mental health compared to their heterosexual peers. Adverse health-related behaviours were more common in White sexual minority individuals. Further investigation into potentially different mechanisms leading to adverse health in White-SM and EM-SM individuals is needed.

Heterosexism, Racism, and the Mental Health of Sexual Minority People of Color

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon L. Velez ◽  
Charles J. Polihronakis ◽  
Laurel B. Watson ◽  
Robert Cox
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Well Being ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Internalized Racism ◽  
Internalized Heterosexism ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Minority People

In the present study, we examined the additive and multiplicative associations of heterosexist discrimination, racist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, and internalized racism with psychological distress and well-being in 318 sexual minority People of Color. We tested multiplicative associations via two sets of interactions: cross-oppression (Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Racism, Racist Discrimination × Internalized Heterosexism) and same-oppression (Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Heterosexism, Racist Discrimination × Internalized Racism). Consistent with the additive perspective, heterosexist discrimination and internalized racism were uniquely positively associated with distress, whereas internalized heterosexism and internalized racism were uniquely negatively associated with well-being. The Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Racism and Racist Discrimination × Internalized Racism interactions were significant in relation to both distress and well-being. Internalized racism was associated with significantly poorer mental health until heterosexist and racist discrimination reached high levels. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice with sexual minority People of Color.

Working with Sexual-Minority Individuals

2010 ◽  
pp. 837-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Diamond ◽  
Molly R. Butterworth ◽  
Ritch C. Savin-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
The Family ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Oriented Research

The present chapter provides a review of some of the primary psychological issues confronting sexual minorities (i.e., individuals with same-sex attractions and relationships). Our goal is to provide a flexible set of preliminary questions that can be used to help sexual-minority clients to articulate their own idiosyncratic experiences and give voice to their own unique needs. We begin by addressing two of the most common and important clinical issues faced by sexual minorities: generalized “minority stress” and acceptance and validation from the family of origin. We then turn attention to the vast—and vastly underinvestigated—population of individuals with bisexual attractions and behavior, who actually constitute the majority of the sexual-minority population, despite having been systematically excluded from most prior research. We review the increasing body of research suggesting that individuals with bisexual patterns of attraction and behavior actually face greater mental health risks than those with exclusive same-sex attractions and behavior, and we explore potential processes and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, focusing particular attention on issues of identity development and transition over the life span. We conclude by outlining a number of areas for future clinically oriented research.

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