title: Self-reported sexual and psychosocial health among non-heterosexual Danes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the sexual and psychosocial health of non-heterosexual Danes. Based on a large population study, the aim of this article was to compare quality-of-life-related key variables of heterosexual and non-heterosexual men and women, aged 16-66.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data from the nationwide, representative Health and Morbidity Survey (n = 8496) were used to compare variables concerning both general and sexual well-being of self-identified heterosexual and non-heterosexual respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly twice as many non-heterosexual than heterosexual men rated their sexual life as bad or very bad (22.5% versus 12.8%), while no statistical difference was seen among women (13.6% versus 10.6%). For both genders, significantly more non-heterosexuals than heterosexuals stated that their sexual needs were not met (17.9% versus 7.7% for men and 14.8% versus 6.9% for women), and significantly more non-heterosexuals reported acts of sexual violence (8.3% versus 2.1% for men and 35.8% versus 13.0% for women). Finally, non-heterosexual respondents had contemplated suicide more than twice as often as heterosexuals (15.9% versus 7.4% for men and 19.7% versus 8.3% for women). Actual suicide attempts were roughly three times more frequent in the non-heterosexual groups (8.3% versus 2.6 % for men and 11.8% versus 4.2% for women).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, non-heterosexual Danes reported higher degrees of sexual and/or psychosocial distress than heterosexuals further research is needed; but scientists, clinicians and public health workers should be aware that non-heterosexuals may pose specific health-related challenges and requirements.
authors: Center for Sexology Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark chgr@rn.dk.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Graugaard
authors: Sexological Clinic, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Giraldi
authors: Center for Sexology Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Frisch
authors: Department of Adult Psychiatry, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Lene
authors: L
authors: Falgaard Eplov
authors: National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Davidsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D057566:Self Report; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Denmark; distress; homosexuality; mental health; psychosocial health; quality of life; sexual health; sexuality; suicide