Black gays have fewer mental disorders
Published: Oct. 3, 2007 at 4:25 PM
NEW YORK, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- African-American lesbians, gay men and bisexuals have significantly fewer mental disorders than their white counterparts, a U.S. study found.
Based on the theory that stress related to prejudice would increase risk for mental disorders, researchers expected that black lesbians, gay men and bisexuals face prejudice related to both racism and homophobia and would have more mental disorders than their white counterparts.
However, researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York found these groups may have effective ways to cope with prejudice related to racism and homophobia. However, they also found more black and Latino gay men, lesbians,and bisexuals than whites reported a history of serious suicide attempts.
"Because these suicide attempts occurred at an early age, typically during the teenage, we can speculate that they coincided with a coming-out period and were related to the social disapprobation afforded to lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities,” study leader Ilan H. Meyer said in a statement.
The study, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health, found across all race/ethnic groups, younger cohorts of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals -- ages 18 to 29 and 30 to 44 compared with 45 to 59 years old -- had lower prevalence of almost all mental disorders categories, and the difference was statistically significant for mood disorders.
Based on the theory that stress related to prejudice would increase risk for mental disorders, researchers expected that black lesbians, gay men and bisexuals face prejudice related to both racism and homophobia and would have more mental disorders than their white counterparts.
However, researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York found these groups may have effective ways to cope with prejudice related to racism and homophobia. However, they also found more black and Latino gay men, lesbians,and bisexuals than whites reported a history of serious suicide attempts.
"Because these suicide attempts occurred at an early age, typically during the teenage, we can speculate that they coincided with a coming-out period and were related to the social disapprobation afforded to lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities,” study leader Ilan H. Meyer said in a statement.
The study, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health, found across all race/ethnic groups, younger cohorts of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals -- ages 18 to 29 and 30 to 44 compared with 45 to 59 years old -- had lower prevalence of almost all mental disorders categories, and the difference was statistically significant for mood disorders.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Health:
U.S. tofu recall is expanded
Latest Headlines
- GM reaches pact with union in Delta strike
- Calif. wine pioneer Mondavi dies
- Stroke outcome helped by clot-busting drug
- Study casts doubt on high-salt diet risk
- Huckabee jokes about Obama gunman
- Flights at N.Y.-area airports to be capped
- Strike closes five Norwegian airports
- Senator: McCain's military roots limit him
Most Popular
- Huckabee jokes about Obama gunman
- British couple go at it on plane
- Canadian actress to join 'CSI' cast
- Study: Fish underwent 'reverse evolution'
- Students, faculty protest Schlafly honor
- North Carolina forward to transfer
- Senator: McCain's military roots limit him
- Flights at N.Y.-area airports to be capped