Mental health disparities between German lesbian and bisexual women and a population-based sample

Abstract

Lesbians are at greater risk of mental health problems than heterosexual women, and bisexual individuals are even more likely to report mental health problems. No study has yet tested whether there are any mental health differences between German lesbians, bisexual women, and female controls. We tested for mental health differences between matched groups of 161 lesbian and bisexual women and 161 women in the general population, as well as between matched groups of 79 lesbians and 79 bisexual women. Lesbian and bisexual women reported more mental health problems than population-based women. In contrast, bisexual women did not differ in mental health from lesbians. Therefore, German lesbian and bisexual women constitute a risk group for mental health problems. To improve lesbian and bisexual women’s mental health, attempts should be made to lower the frequency of minority stressors, and best-practice mental health interventions made available.

Keywords:

• Lesbians
• bisexual women
• population-based sample
• BSI-18
• mental-health disparities

Acknowledgment

There are no acknowledgements to be made.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Funding

No funding was obtained for the present research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frank A. Sattler

Frank A. Sattler holds a doctoral degree in Psychology, is a licensed adult psychotherapist, and child and youth psychotherapist. He currently works in private practice. His main research interest lies in understanding the link between social stigma and the mental health symptoms of LGBTQIA + individuals.

Gabriele H. Franke

Gabriele H. Franke is a professor at the University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal. She holds a doctoral degree in Psychology. Her research is based in the fields of Assessment and Rehabilitation Psychology.

Johanna Zeyen

Johanna Zeyen holds a master’s degree in Psychology. She works in the field of clinical psychology, and her main research interests focus on how to improve the mental health of sexual and racial/ethnic minorities.

Melanie Jagla-Franke

Melanie Jagla-Franke is a professor at the University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg. She holds a doctoral degree in Psychology, and her research interests involve stressors and resources of siblings of individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.