Health, wellness, and workplace experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual social workers

Abstract

Using data from an online survey of 6,112 licensed social workers in 13 U.S. states, rates of reported behavioral health problems and service utilization, physical health problems, adverse childhood experiences, workplace stress, and compassion satisfaction were compared between heterosexual male, heterosexual female, gay/bisexual male, and lesbian/bisexual female respondents. Sexual minority workers reported far higher rates of mental health problems and service utilization, higher rates of physical problems, more frequent reporting of adverse childhood experiences, with no differences found between groups regarding workplace stress and compassion satisfaction. Minority stress theory and historical trauma are used as frameworks to conceptualize the findings.

Keywords:

• adverse childhood experiences
• lesbian
• gay
• bisexual
• mental health
• physical health
• social workers
• substance misuse

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Jeffrey Steen for his formidable contribution to the original survey design and data collection process.

Additional information

Funding

The funding for this study was provided to Dr. Straussner by the Office for Research at the New York University Silver School of Social Work.