RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of research into the mental health of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women in the UK. AIMS: To assess rates and possible predictors of mental illness in these groups. METHOD: A comprehensive assessment was made of the psychological and social well-being of a sample of gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women, identified using 'snowball' sampling. RESULTS: Of the 1285 gay, lesbian and bisexual respondents who took part, 556 (43%) had mental disorder as defined by the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS - R). Out of the whole sample, 361 (31%) had attempted suicide. This was associated with markers of discrimination such as recent physical attack (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3) and school bullying (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-2.0), but not with higher scores on the CIS-R. CONCLUSIONS: Gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women have high levels of mental disorder, possibly linked with discrimination.
Assuntos
Bissexualidade/psicologia , Homossexualidade Feminina/psicologia , Homossexualidade Masculina/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/epidemiologia , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas , Inglaterra/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Saúde Mental , Preconceito , Anos de Vida Ajustados por Qualidade de Vida , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , País de Gales/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the mental health of gay men and lesbians living in Europe. AIMS: To compare psychological status, quality of life and use of mental health services by lesbians and gay men with heterosexual people. METHOD: Cross-sectional study in England and Wales using 'snowball' sampling. PARTICIPANTS: 656 gay men, 505 heterosexual men, 430 lesbians and 588 heterosexual women. Gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to score above threshold on the Clinical Interview Schedule, indicating greater levels of psychological distress (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.07-1.43), as were lesbians compared with heterosexual women (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11-1.52). Gay men and lesbians were more likely than heterosexuals to have consulted a mental health professional in the past, deliberately harmed themselves and used recreational drugs. Lesbians were more likely to have experienced verbal and physical intimidation and to consume more alcohol than heterosexual women. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of mental health issues for gay men and lesbians should become a standard part of training for mental health professionals, who need to be aware of the potential for substance misuse and self-harm in this group and of the discrimination experienced by many lesbians.
