Disparities in child abuse victimization in lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women in the Nurses' Health Study II.
BACKGROUND
A growing body of research documents multiple health disparities by sexual orientation among women, yet little is known about the possible causes of these disparities. One underlying factor may be heightened risk for abuse victimization in childhood in lesbian and bisexual women.


METHODS
Using survey data from 63,028 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study II, we investigated sexual orientation group differences in emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence. Multivariable log-binomial and linear regression models were used to examine orientation group differences in prevalence and severity of abuse, with heterosexual as the referent and controlling for sociodemographics.


RESULTS
Results showed strong evidence of elevated frequency, severity, and persistence of abuse experienced by lesbian and bisexual women. Comparing physical abuse victimization occurring in both childhood and adolescence, lesbian (30%, prevalence ratio [PR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40, 1.84) and bisexual (24%, PR 1.26, 95% CI 1.00, 1.60) women were more likely to report victimization than were heterosexual women (19%). Similarly, comparing sexual abuse victimization occurring in both age periods, lesbian (19%, PR 2.16, 95% CI 1.80, 2.60) and bisexual (20%, PR 2.29, 95% CI 1.76, 2.98) women were more likely to report victimization than were heterosexual women (9%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents prevalent and persistent abuse disproportionately experienced by lesbian and bisexual women.
Austin
S Bryn
SB
Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. bryn.austin@childrens.harvard.edu
Jun
Hee-Jin
HJ
Jackson
Benita
B
Spiegelman
Donna
D
Rich-Edwards
Janet
J
Corliss
Heather L
HL
Wright
Rosalind J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016014:Linear Models; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology