title: Mental health characteristics of sexual minority veterans.
abstract: This study examines the mental health characteristics of sexual minority (lesbian, gay, and bisexual, or LGB) veterans, compared these characteristics to those of an existing Veterans Affairs (VA) sample, and examined the relationship between mental health and anxiety around concealment of LGB identity while in the military. Data regarding LGB veterans' (n = 409) military experiences and current mental health were collected via an online survey; comparison data (n = 15,000) were retrieved from a VA data warehouse. LGB veterans were more likely to screen positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol problems than the comparison sample. Anxiety around concealment of one's sexual orientation while in the service was related to current depression and PTSD symptoms.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, USA. bryan.cochran@umontana.edu
authors: Bryan N
authors: BN
authors: Cochran
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Balsam
authors: Annesa
authors: A
authors: Flentje
authors: Carol A
authors: CA
authors: Malte
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult