Sexual orientation identity and attraction changes among youth: prospective versus retrospective measurement

IF 3 3区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Annals of Epidemiology Pub Date : 2025-10-06 DOI:10.1016/j.annepidem.2025.10.006

Lynsie R. Ranker PhD, MPH , Sabra L. Katz-Wise PhD , Allegra R. Gordon ScD, MPH , R. Korkodilos , Ziming Xuan ScD, SM, MA , Kimberly M. Nelson PhD, MPH

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

Prior work has documented sexual orientation change, or fluidity, among youth over time. Some studies measure change via retrospective recall while others assess change prospectively. It is unclear whether retrospective recall and prospective assessment measure change experiences similarly. The current study examines whether prospectively assessed change in sexual orientation identity (SOI) and attractions aligns with change as assessed via retrospective recall of change.

Methods

US youth (N = 1235), aged 14–25 years, participated in a longitudinal online cohort. Prospective change in SOI and attraction were determined by comparing self-reported SOI and attraction at baseline and 4-month follow-up. Retrospective recall of SOI and attraction change was assessed at 4-month follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of retrospective recall of change was assessed in relation to change detected prospectively.

Results

Prospectively, 12.8 % of youth changed their reported SOI between baseline and follow-up. Retrospectively, only 5.0 % recalled change for the same period. Prospectively, 21.9 % reported attraction changes between baseline and follow-up. Retrospectively, only 12.4 % recalled attraction changes. Only 17.3 % (95 % CI 11.3, 23.4) who prospectively reported SOI change and 28.7 % (95 % CI 23.3, 34.2) who prospectively reported attraction change also reported change retrospectively.

Conclusions

The prevalence of change in SOI and attractions varied substantially by whether change was assessed prospectively or retrospectively. Researchers and clinicians should consider how the method and timing of assessment may influence their ability to detect changes in SOI and attractions within youth populations. Identification of youth experiencing change is critical for allocation of relevant resources and support.

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青少年的性取向、认同和吸引力变化：前瞻性与回顾性测量。

目的：先前的工作已经记录了性取向的变化，或流动性，随着时间的推移，在青少年中。一些研究通过回顾性回忆来衡量变化，而另一些研究则是前瞻性地评估变化。目前尚不清楚回顾性回忆和前瞻性评估是否同样改变了经验。目前的研究考察了前瞻性评估的性取向、身份（SOI）和吸引力的变化是否与通过回顾性回忆变化评估的变化一致。方法：美国青少年（N= 1235），年龄14-25岁，参与纵向在线队列研究。通过比较基线和4个月随访时自我报告的SOI和吸引力来确定SOI和吸引力的预期变化。在4个月的随访中评估SOI的回顾性回忆和吸引力变化。回顾性回忆变化的敏感性和特异性与前瞻性检测变化的相关性进行了评估。结果：前瞻性地，12.8%的年轻人在基线和随访期间改变了他们报告的SOI。回顾性分析，只有5.0%的人回忆起同一时期的变化。21.9%的人报告了基线和随访期间的吸引力变化。回想起来，只有12.4%的人回忆起吸引力的变化。只有17.3% （95% CI 11.3, 23.4）前瞻性报告SOI变化的患者和28.3% （95% CI 23.3, 34.2）前瞻性报告吸引力变化的患者也回顾性报告了变化。结论：无论是前瞻性评估还是回顾性评估，SOI和吸引力变化的流行程度存在很大差异。研究人员和临床医生应该考虑评估的方法和时间如何影响他们检测青年人群中SOI变化和吸引力的能力。确定正在经历变化的青年对于分配相关资源和支持至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Annals of Epidemiology 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

1.80%

发文量

207

审稿时长

59 days

期刊介绍： The journal emphasizes the application of epidemiologic methods to issues that affect the distribution and determinants of human illness in diverse contexts. Its primary focus is on chronic and acute conditions of diverse etiologies and of major importance to clinical medicine, public health, and health care delivery.