According to a study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University, 83% of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer) individuals experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as sexual abuse and emotional abuse as children, and they suffered worse mental health as adults.
Data from a 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of more than 60,000 people across eight states were used for the study, published on February 23 in the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry. Among the nearly 3,000 LGBTQ+ adults surveyed in the study, 83% experienced at least one ACE, compared to 64% of straight adults. Furthermore, 52% of LGBTQ+ adults reported three or more ACEs, compared to 26% of straight adults. Each of the eight types of ACEs was more prevalent among LGBTQ+ individuals, with sexual abuse, household mental illness, and emotional abuse showing the greatest disparities. LGBTQ+ young people face significant hostility, from difficulties finding safe spaces at school to abusive home environments. Creating a healthier LGBTQ+ health environment requires the involvement of educators, community leaders, and family members, as indicated by our research.
A person’s ACEs may include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, household mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, or parental divorce or separation. Based on the number of ACEs reported by survey respondents, the research team determined how many bad mental health days they had experienced in the past month as adults. The researchers found that LGBTQ+ individuals experienced a greater number of bad mental health days per month, regardless of the prevalence of adverse experiences, compared to their heterosexual peers. Individuals who reported one or more ACEs experienced an average of 10 bad mental health days per month, whereas heterosexual individuals experienced an average of five days.
Several studies have shown that children who have experienced maltreatment and other adversities often grow up to have poorer physical and mental health, as well as worse economic well-being. According to new research, LGBTQ+ adults who experienced childhood adversity face greater burdens, highlighting the urgent need for support from policymakers, schools, and communities.
In order to create more inclusive learning and healthcare environments for LGBTQ+ people, researchers suggest training health professionals and school staff. Several notable national and international resources have been established to assist LGBTQ+ youth due to the growing evidence of ACEs. One standout resource is The Trevor Project, which provides crisis and suicide prevention services and counseling across the country. By calling 866-488-7386 or texting ‘START’ to 678-678, young LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing emotional distress can reach trained individuals 24 hours a day.
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535560
https://nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/Publications_NSVRC_Research-Brief_Sexual-Violence-LGBTQ.pdf
