Disparities by Sexual Orientation Persist for Major Depressive Episode and Substance Abuse or Dependence: Findings from a National Probability Study of Adults in the United States

LGBT Health. 2019 Jul;6(5):261-266. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0207. Epub 2019 Jun 11.

Abstract

Purpose: This study updates psychiatric epidemiological research by providing recent prevalence estimates of major depression and alcohol and illicit drug abuse or dependence among sexual minority (SM) adults. Methods: Using the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we estimated prevalence differences between SM and heterosexual adults, and within SM subgroups, with logistic regression models. Results: Bisexual adults faced an increased burden across all outcomes compared with other SM adults. Gay males had the highest prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug abuse or dependence. Conclusions: Future research must consider sex differences within SM subgroups for development of targeted interventions.

Keywords: major depressive disorder; mental health; sexual minority; substance abuse disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual Behavior* / psychology
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult