Sexual Orientation Identity Mobility in the United Kingdom: A Research Note

Sexual identity is fluid. But just how fluid is it? How does such fluidity vary across demographic groups? How do mainstream measures fare in capturing the fluidity? In analyzing data from the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study (N = 22,673 individuals, each observed twice), this research note provides new, population-wide evidence of sexual identity mobility-change and continuity in individuals' sexual orientation identification-in the United Kingdom. Overall, 6.6% of the respondents changed their sexual identity reports between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019. Sexual identity mobility follows a convex pattern over the life course, with higher mobility rates at the two ends than in the middle of the age spectrum. Sexual identity mobility is more prevalent among women, ethnic minority individuals, and the less educated. Changes in people's self-reported sexual identity are closely associated with changes in their partnership status and partner's sex. However, inferring individuals' sexual identity from their partner's sex substantially underestimates the degree of sexual fluidity compared with people's self-reported sexual identity. Our findings encourage researchers and data collectors to fully examine sexual identity mobility and consider its implications for measuring sexual identity.

Body Uneasiness and Dissatisfaction Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Persons

Introduction

While sexual minority people have been widely considered at risk for developing a range of body image concerns, evidence of body dissatisfaction and shame amongst LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) individuals is mixed. This study investigated differences in body uneasiness, body dissatisfaction, and self-blaming/attacking attitudes between LGB and heterosexual individuals, as well as within LGB groups, while also examining the predictive role of body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A sample of cisgender lesbian women (n = 163), gay men (n = 277), bisexual women (n = 135), bisexual men (n = 39), heterosexual women (n = 398), and heterosexual men (n = 219) completed an online survey assessing different aspects of body image between May and July 2020.

Results

Gay and bisexual men reported greater body image disturbance and self-blaming attitudes relative to heterosexual men. In contrast, lesbian women reported lower body uneasiness than their bisexual and heterosexual counterparts, but greater self-hate. Moreover, lesbian and bisexual women showed more body dissatisfaction than gay men, and bisexual individuals reported more body uneasiness than individuals in other sexual minority subgroups. Higher BMI emerged as a significant predictor of body image concerns and dissatisfaction.

Conclusions

Body image dimensions showed sexual identity-based differences. Determining the specific nuances of body image in LGB individuals can provide important information on potential risk factors that may impact mental health outcomes.

Policy Implications

In-depth knowledge of body dissatisfaction and uneasiness in individuals with LGB identities may have critical implications for the development of personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Identity in Women and Men Prenatally Exposed to Diethylstilbestrol

We assessed the associations of prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure, a potent estrogen, with sexual orientation and gender identity in 3306 women and 1848 men who participated in a study of prenatal DES exposure. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from logistic regression models adjusted for birth year, study cohort, and education. Among women, the OR for DES in relation to reporting sexual orientation identity as nonheterosexual was 0.61 (95% CI 0.40-0.92) primarily due to a strong inverse association with a lesbian identity (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25-0.76). Among men, the OR for DES in relation to reporting a nonheterosexual sexual orientation identity was 1.4 (95% CI 0.82-2.4), and ORs were similar for having a gay identity (1.4, 95% CI 0.72-2.85) and bisexual identity (1.4, 95% CI 0.57-3.5). Only five individuals reported a gender identity not conforming to that assigned at birth, preventing meaningful analysis. Women who were prenatally exposed to DES were less likely to have a lesbian or bisexual orientation, while DES-exposed men were somewhat more likely to report being gay or bisexual, but estimates were imprecise.

Prescription Opioid Misuse: Examining the Role of Opioid-Related Attitudes among Youth and Young Adults by Sexual Orientation

Background: High prevalence of opioid misuse has been noted among youth and young adults-particularly among those who identify as lesbian/gay or bisexual (LGB). Yet, little is known about the relationship between opioid-related attitudes and misuse among those who identify as LGB. Objectives: This study examined the role of opioid-related attitudes (i.e. acceptance of misuse and risk perception) in relation to ever and past 6-month prescription opioid misuse, stratified by sexual orientation. Methods: This study used a nationally representative, probability-based sample of youth and young adults aged 15-34 (N = 12,745; lesbian/gay = 398, bisexual = 857, heterosexual = 11,490). Data were collected via online surveys in Spring 2018. Wald chi-square tests assessed differences in ever and past 6-month opioid misuse by sexual orientation identity. Weighted adjusted logistic regression models estimated the influence of opioid-related attitudes (acceptance of misuse and risk perceptions) in relation to ever and past 6-month opioid misuse, controlling for demographic characteristics, other past drug use, and psychosocial variables. Results: Logistic regression models indicated that attitudes related to the acceptance of opioid misuse was predictive of (a) higher odds of ever misuse among heterosexual and bisexual individuals and (b) higher odds of past 6-month misuse regardless of sexual orientation. Conclusions: Prescription opioid misuse among LGB youth and young adults may be addressed by shifting key attitudes surrounding opioids. To help stem this deadly epidemic, prevention efforts should be guided by the unique stressors facing the LGB community and focus on reducing the acceptability of misusing opioids.

Sexual Attraction, Sexual Identity, and Same-Sex Sexual Experiences of Adult Offspring in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study

The U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study has followed offspring with sexual minority parents from conception into adulthood. It was initiated in 1986, and it has a 92% retention rate to date. In the current investigation, the 25-year-old offspring answered questions about sexual attraction, sexual identity, and sexual experiences; their responses were compared with those of same-age adults from a population-based survey. The analytic samples consisted of 76 offspring of lesbian parents and 76 demographically matched participants from the National Survey of Family Growth. All 152 respondents were 25 years old, 48.7% were female, 90.8% identified as White, 9.2% were people of color, and all had attended at least some college. Although most respondents in each sample identified as "heterosexual or straight," compared to their matched counterparts in the population-based survey, the female and male offspring of lesbian parents were significantly more to likely to report same-sex attraction, sexual minority identity, and same-sex experience. These findings suggest that adult offspring from planned lesbian families may be more likely than their peers to demonstrate diversity in sexual attraction, identity, and expression.