title: Methodological issues in identifying sexuality for research.
abstract: Sexuality is a complex concept that can be measured based on various aspects. Depending on the variable of interest, investigators may wish to focus on sexual behavior (activity), sexual orientation (attraction to a particular gender), or sexual identity (self-identification with a particular group of people). Further complicating the process is the fact that these aspects of sexuality are not always congruent with one another. Lesbian, gay, and bisexuals (LGB) are sexual minorities that have been identified as one of several groups that experience health disparities. For researchers working with the LGB population, properly identifying and defining which aspect of sexuality is of interest to the investigator is paramount in obtaining accurate outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. lee.ridner@louisville.edu
authors.forename: S Lee
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ridner
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Topp
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Frost
mesh_terms: D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D019529:Sexuality