The association of sexual orientation measures with young adults' health-related outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
We examined associations among 3 dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, behavior, and attraction) and key health-related indicators commonly studied among sexual minority populations: depressive symptoms, perceived stress, smoking, binge drinking, and victimization.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Wave IV (2007-2008) when respondents were aged 24 to 32 years (n=14,412). We used multivariate linear and logistic regressions to examine consistency of associations between sexual orientation measures and health-related indicators.


RESULTS
Strength of associations differed by gender and sexual orientation measure. Among women, being attracted to both sexes, identifying as "mostly straight" or "bisexual," and having mostly opposite-sex sexual partners was associated with greater risk for all indicators. Among men, sexual attraction was unrelated to health indicators. Men who were "mostly straight" were at greater risk for some, but not all, indicators. Men who had sexual partners of the same-sex or both sexes were at lower risk for binge drinking.


CONCLUSIONS
Using all 3 dimensions of sexual orientation provides a more complete picture of the association between sexual orientation and health among young adults than does using any 1 dimension alone.
Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. llindley@gmu.edu
Lisa L
LL
Lindley
Katrina M
KM
Walsemann
Jarvis W
JW
Carter
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult