Open AccessMental Health and Substance Use Diagnoses and Treatment Disparities by Sexual Orientation and Gender in a Community Health Center Sample
Author(s) -
Abigail Batchelder,
Amelia M. Stanton,
Norik Kirakosian,
Dana King,
Chris Grasso,
Jennifer Potter,
Kenneth H. Mayer,
Conall O’Cleirigh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
lgbt health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.416
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2325-8306
pISSN - 2325-8292
DOI - 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0293
Subject(s) - sexual orientation , mental health , sexual minority , lesbian , medicine , clinical psychology , transgender , anxiety , psychiatry , depression (economics) , substance abuse , psychology , social psychology , psychoanalysis , economics , macroeconomics
Purpose: This study assessed disparities in screener- and provider-identified mental health and substance use diagnoses and treatment attendance by sexual orientation and gender in an urban community health center focused on sexual and gender minority individuals. Methods: Using an electronic data query (October 2015 to October 2018), computerized screening results assessing likely depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and substance use disorder (SUDs); provider diagnoses; and treatment initiation related to mental health and substance use were compared across sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, and other) and gender categories (men and women, inclusive of cisgender and transgender individuals; N = 24,325). Results: Bisexual and other-identified individuals were more likely to screen positive for depression and anxiety, followed by gay/lesbian women, compared with heterosexual individuals and gay men (χ 2 = 463.22, p < 0.001 and χ 2 = 263.36, p < 0.001, respectively). Of those who screened positive for AUDs, women were less likely to be diagnosed by a professional (χ 2 = 63.79, p < 0.001) and of those who screened positive for either alcohol or other SUDs, women were less likely to attend one or more substance use-related behavioral health appointments, regardless of sexual orientation (contingency coefficient = 0.14, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This community health center study identified a need for increased mental health services for bisexual and other-identified individuals and increased assessment and initiation of substance use treatment for women, including sexual minority women.