Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Sociology
Date of Award
8-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Martha Copp, Joseph O. Baker
Committee Members
Candace Forbes Bright
Abstract
Previous literature on LGBTQ+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual minorities) reports that this community experiences greater health problems than heterosexuals. LGBTQ+ people experience higher rates of chronic conditions, STIs, addiction, poor mental health, and cancer, which highlights the importance of capturing data regarding health. A growing concern is that social surveys fail to find meaningful ways to gather gender and sexuality data to understand possible health disparities for LGBTQ+ people. This study uses data from the General Social Survey to examine the physical and mental health outcomes of LGB people compared to straight people in a nationally representative sample of Americans. An analysis of potential disparities in the self-reported health of straight and LGB respondents finds that respondents who identified as bisexual reported significantly lower levels of self-rated health and more problems with mental health compared to respondents who identified as gay, lesbian, or heterosexual.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Burton, Christopher, "Self-Reported Health Among Sexual Minorities in the United States" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3931. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3931
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Medicine and Health Commons