@article{ref1,
title="Disparities in depression and anxiety that impact self-identified sexual minority people affect a broader group of same-gender attracted young adults",
journal="Journal of Adolescent Health",
year="2023",
author="Waller, Claire R. and Méndez Leal, Adriana S. and Silvers, Jennifer A.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: Prior work suggests sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual) young adults are at greater risk for depression and anxiety. However, the majority of said work focuses exclusively on self-reported sexual minority identity and neglects same-gender attraction. The current study aimed to characterize links between identity- and attraction-based indicators of sexual minority status and depression and anxiety in young adults, and to examine the ongoing significance of caregiver support in mental health during this key developmental period. <br><br>METHODS: 386 youth (mean age = 19.92 years; SD = 1.39) reported their sexual orientation identity and experiences of attraction toward men and/or women. Participants also reported on anxiety, depression, and caregiver social support. <br><br>RESULTS: While less than 16% of participants identified as sexual minority individuals, nearly half reported same-gender attraction. Self-identified sexual minority participants reported significantly higher depression and anxiety than self-identified heterosexual participants. Similarly, same-gender attracted individuals exhibited heightened depression and anxiety compared to exclusively different-gender attracted individuals. Greater caregiver social support predicted lower depression and anxiety. <br><br>DISCUSSION: The present findings suggest that not only are self-identified sexual minority individuals at heightened risk for depression and anxiety symptoms, but also that this risk extends to a larger group of young people who experience same-gender attraction. These results demonstrate that better mental health supports may be needed for youth who identify as sexual minority individuals or report same-gender attraction. That higher caregiver social support was associated with lower mental illness risk suggests caregivers may be key to mental health promotion during young adulthood.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1054-139X",
doi="10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.05.024",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.05.024"
}