Identifying As A Sexual Minority: While Increased Psychological Distress Rates Are Seen, So Are Rates of Mental Health Service Utilization
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The current study sought to reiterate findings seen in the extant literature by exploring the notion that sexual minority individuals, and in particular bisexual individuals, experience increased rates of psychological distress. This study also looked to verify that sexual minority individuals utilize mental health services more heavily than heterosexual individuals. The sample for this study was based on young adult responses (ages 18 to 26 years old; N= 4,833) gathered from the publicly available the 1994-2008 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health Wave III data. Results indicated, that individuals who identify as a sexual minority exhibited an increased likelihood for psychological distress, but were also seen to utilize counseling/psychological services more than their heterosexual peers.
Start Date
4-14-2018 8:30 AM
End Date
4-14-2018 9:20 AM
Location
2nd Floor
Identifying As A Sexual Minority: While Increased Psychological Distress Rates Are Seen, So Are Rates of Mental Health Service Utilization
2nd Floor
The current study sought to reiterate findings seen in the extant literature by exploring the notion that sexual minority individuals, and in particular bisexual individuals, experience increased rates of psychological distress. This study also looked to verify that sexual minority individuals utilize mental health services more heavily than heterosexual individuals. The sample for this study was based on young adult responses (ages 18 to 26 years old; N= 4,833) gathered from the publicly available the 1994-2008 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health Wave III data. Results indicated, that individuals who identify as a sexual minority exhibited an increased likelihood for psychological distress, but were also seen to utilize counseling/psychological services more than their heterosexual peers.