The Effect of Family Acceptance on the Health of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults
Date Issued
2016
Date
2016
Author(s)
Yang, Chiao-Yu
Abstract
This study focuses on lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults. The purpose of the study was to investigate the physical health, mental health and health-related behavior of LGBs as well as to discover the effects of personal qualities, family qualities and family acceptance on the health of LGB adults. A quantitative method was applied; study questionnaires were sent out in public places, on-line and social welfare institutions. Responses from 300 lesbians and gays, 125 bisexuals and 195 heterosexuals were received and analyzed. The results revealed differences between the physical health, mental health and health behavior of LGB and heterosexual adults. On physical health, gay and bisexual males were more likely than heterosexual male to have digestive system disorders, while no significant differences existed between LGB and heterosexual adults on sexually transmitted diseases. On mental health, LGB adults scored significantly higher than heterosexuals did on the scales of anxiety, hostility, depression, interpersonal sensitivity (feeling inferior to others) and additional symptoms (cf. having trouble falling asleep in the past week). Besides, LGB adults scored higher than heterosexuals did on suicide ideation. The results indicated that LGB adults might develop mental health problems while struggling with their sexual identity and adapting to the dominant culture of heterosexism. On health behavior, it was discovered that the frequency that gay and bisexual males received colorectal cancer tests or HIV check-ups and paid attention to safe-sex behavior were higher compared to heterosexual males. What’s more, gay and bisexual males control their weight more and smoke less, which revealed that gay and bisexual male care about their health and body or appearance more than heterosexual males do. In contrast to males, the frequency that lesbian and bisexual females received health checks and paid attention to safe-sex behavior were significantly lower compared to heterosexual females; meanwhile, they control their weight less and smoke more than heterosexual females. Compared to gay and bisexual males, lesbian and bisexual females scored lower on self-rated health and exert less effort on maintaining physical health compared to gay and bisexual females. This indicated that the health awareness of lesbian and bisexual females is lower and worth the efforts to promote it. Lastly, it was found that family acceptance among LGBs had a positive effect on LGB’s self-rated physical and mental health; perceived family acceptance accounted for decreased suicidal ideation and increased effort expended on maintaining physical and mental health. Besides, LGBs whose father/mother knew their sexual orientation better, perceived higher father/mother acceptance. According to the abovementioned results, this study suggests that related agencies should develop specific health care for lesbian, and include LGBs’ family members in the service of LGB.
Subjects
lesbian
gay
bisexual
health
health behavior
family acceptance
SDGs
Type
thesis
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