[Sexual orientation and mental health: a review].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this paper is to review available knowledge on sexual orientation and mental health, especially for women.


METHODS
Papers published in English or French, between 1997 and 2007, were selected in PubMed using the following keywords "homosexuality/sexual orientation and mental health/depression/suicide". To be retained, papers had to contain findings from quantitative surveys comparing homosexual and heterosexual adults. In all, this review analyses 22 papers including two that are based on the same survey.


RESULTS
This review found a general pattern of poorer mental health for homosexuals and even more so for bisexuals compared to heterosexuals. Results are especially consistent regarding elevated risk of suicide attempts.
Lhomond
B
B
CNRS, ENS LSH, laboratoire Triangle, université de Lyon, 15, parvis René-Descartes, 69342 Lyon cedex 07, France. brigitte.lhomond@ens-lsh.fr
Saurel-Cubizolles
M-J
MJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs