title: Self-Reported Mental Disorders and Distress by Sexual Orientation: Results of the Minnesota College Student Health Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual minority college students (i.e., those not identifying as heterosexual, or those reporting same-sex sexual activity) may be at increased risk of poor mental health, given factors such as minority stress, stigma, and discrimination. Such disparities could have important implications for students' academic achievement, future health, and social functioning. This study compares reports of mental disorder diagnoses, stressful life events, and frequent mental distress across five gender-stratified sexual orientation categories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were from the 2007-2011 College Student Health Survey, which surveyed a random sample of college students (N=34,324) at 40 Minnesota institutions. Data analysis was conducted in 2013-2014. The prevalence of mental disorder diagnoses, frequent mental distress, and stressful life events were calculated for heterosexual, discordant heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, and unsure students. Logistic regression models were fit to estimate the association between sexual orientation and mental health outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students were more likely to report any mental health disorder diagnosis than were heterosexual students (p<0.05). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and unsure students were significantly more likely to report frequent mental distress compared to heterosexual students (OR range, 1.6-2.7). All sexual minority groups, with the exception of unsure men, had significantly greater odds of experiencing two or more stressful life events (OR range, 1.3-2.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual minority college students experience worse mental health than their heterosexual peers. These students may benefit from interventions that target the structural and social causes of these disparities, and individual-level interventions that consider their unique life experiences.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Electronic address: prze0009@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Przedworski
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: VanKim
authors.affiliation: Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Division of Health Policy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Marla E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.affiliation: Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Donna D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: McAlpine
authors.affiliation: Boynton Health Service, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lust
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Melissa N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Laska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008910:Minnesota; D008913:Minority Groups; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult