{"title":"Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes Among Sexual Minority Women: A Population-Based Study.","authors":"Fenfen Ge, Arna Hauksdóttir, Huan Song, Donghao Lu, Gunnar Tómasson, Harpa Rúnarsdóttir, Marín Dögg Bjarnadóttir, Jóhanna Jakobsdóttir, Fang Fang, Thor Aspelund, Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, Edda Bjork Thordardottir","doi":"10.1177/23258292251376565","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b><i>Purpose:</i></b> We aimed to investigate the association between sexual orientation and multiple types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and to what extent ACEs mediate the association between sexual orientation and symptoms of depression and anxiety among sexual minority women (SMW). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a cross-sectional analysis nested within the nationally representative Icelandic Stress-And-Gene-Analysis cohort. Data were collected from March 2018 to June 2019. Participants included 11,007 women, aged 18-69, with data on sexual orientation and ACEs. Self-reported data were obtained on 13 different ACEs, and current symptoms of depression and anxiety. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 724 (6.6%) identified as sexual minority. The mean age of SMW was 34.0 years (standard deviation [SD] 14.0) and 44.7 years (SD 14.0) for heterosexual women. SMW were more likely to report six or more ACEs than heterosexual women (21.7% vs. 11.3%, respectively), yielding an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-2.91). SMW were more likely than heterosexual women to report four types of ACEs: specifically bullying, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and mental illness in the household (aOR ranging from 1.36 to 1.71). SMW reported higher odds of current symptoms of depression (aOR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.77-2.49) and anxiety (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.41-2.02). The total number of ACEs mediated 32.6% of the association between sexual orientation and depression, and 43.2% of the association between sexual orientation and anxiety. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These findings suggest that ACEs are a major contributor to the mental health disparities observed among SMW.</p>","PeriodicalId":18062,"journal":{"name":"LGBT health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"LGBT health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23258292251376565","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association between sexual orientation and multiple types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and to what extent ACEs mediate the association between sexual orientation and symptoms of depression and anxiety among sexual minority women (SMW). Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis nested within the nationally representative Icelandic Stress-And-Gene-Analysis cohort. Data were collected from March 2018 to June 2019. Participants included 11,007 women, aged 18-69, with data on sexual orientation and ACEs. Self-reported data were obtained on 13 different ACEs, and current symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results: Overall, 724 (6.6%) identified as sexual minority. The mean age of SMW was 34.0 years (standard deviation [SD] 14.0) and 44.7 years (SD 14.0) for heterosexual women. SMW were more likely to report six or more ACEs than heterosexual women (21.7% vs. 11.3%, respectively), yielding an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 2.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-2.91). SMW were more likely than heterosexual women to report four types of ACEs: specifically bullying, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and mental illness in the household (aOR ranging from 1.36 to 1.71). SMW reported higher odds of current symptoms of depression (aOR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.77-2.49) and anxiety (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.41-2.02). The total number of ACEs mediated 32.6% of the association between sexual orientation and depression, and 43.2% of the association between sexual orientation and anxiety. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ACEs are a major contributor to the mental health disparities observed among SMW.
LGBT healthPUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH -
CiteScore
6.60
自引率
6.20%
发文量
80
期刊介绍:
LGBT Health is the premier peer-reviewed journal dedicated to promoting optimal healthcare for millions of sexual and gender minority persons worldwide by focusing specifically on health while maintaining sufficient breadth to encompass the full range of relevant biopsychosocial and health policy issues. This Journal aims to promote greater awareness of the health concerns particular to each sexual minority population, and to improve availability and delivery of culturally appropriate healthcare services. LGBT Health also encourages further research and increased funding in this critical but currently underserved domain. The Journal provides a much-needed authoritative source and international forum in all areas pertinent to LGBT health and healthcare services. Contributions from all continents are solicited including Asia and Africa which are currently underrepresented in sex research.