A Clarke1, J Beenstock2,3, J N Lukacs4, L Turner5, M Limmer6. 1. Children and Family Health Service, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston , UK. 2. Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK. 3. Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, UK. 4. Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. 5. Lancashire LGBT, Preston PR2 8PS, UK. 6. Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood health is an important adult health predictor. Sexual orientation is increasingly recognized as influential on children and young people's (CYP) mental and physical health. METHODS: Data came from a cross-sectional survey of year 9 children attending schools in two local authorities in the north-west of England, including mental and physical health indicators, and demographic characteristics including sexual orientation. The sample of 8058 represented 67.8% of the eligible population. Data were analysed by sexual orientation, sexual majority or sexual minority. RESULTS: Children reporting their sexual orientation as sexual minority reported worse mental and physical health outcomes and behaviours than sexual majority peers; had higher odds of being lonely (odds ratios (OR) = 8.24, 95% C.I.: 6.56-10.37), having self-harmed (OR = 7.28, 95% C.I.: 5.78-9.15), being bullied (OR = 4.76, 95% C.I.: 3.74-6.05) or perceiving themselves as overweight (OR = 2.40, 95% C.I.: 1.89-3.06). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to identify and support children in a sexual minority. Research is required to understand differences between children within sexual minorities and the impact on outcomes and rights. Health and social policy and services, should respond to the vulnerabilities of sexual minority CYP.
BACKGROUND: Childhood health is an important adult health predictor. Sexual orientation is increasingly recognized as influential on children and young people's (CYP) mental and physical health. METHODS: Data came from a cross-sectional survey of year 9 children attending schools in two local authorities in the north-west of England, including mental and physical health indicators, and demographic characteristics including sexual orientation. The sample of 8058 represented 67.8% of the eligible population. Data were analysed by sexual orientation, sexual majority or sexual minority. RESULTS:Children reporting their sexual orientation as sexual minority reported worse mental and physical health outcomes and behaviours than sexual majority peers; had higher odds of being lonely (odds ratios (OR) = 8.24, 95% C.I.: 6.56-10.37), having self-harmed (OR = 7.28, 95% C.I.: 5.78-9.15), being bullied (OR = 4.76, 95% C.I.: 3.74-6.05) or perceiving themselves as overweight (OR = 2.40, 95% C.I.: 1.89-3.06). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to identify and support children in a sexual minority. Research is required to understand differences between children within sexual minorities and the impact on outcomes and rights. Health and social policy and services, should respond to the vulnerabilities of sexual minority CYP.
Authors: András Költő; Alina Cosma; Honor Young; Nathalie Moreau; Daryna Pavlova; Riki Tesler; Einar B Thorsteinsson; Alessio Vieno; Elizabeth M Saewyc; Saoirse Nic Gabhainn Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-08-23 Impact factor: 3.390