Asians and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders Midlife Lesbians' Health

SUMMARY

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine actual and potential health issues of midlife lesbians who were Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islanders (A-NHOPI). We explored the health status (body composition, “outness,” smoking, alcohol, and abuse) of 29 A-NHOPI lesbians; 34.5% were totally disclosed to family, co-workers, and health-care providers. They reported high rates of quitting smoking, and low rates of smoking and alcohol abuse. Childhood physical abuse was reported by 34.7% and childhood sexual abuse was reported by 28.6% of these women. Findings from this study will assist therapists with some of the issues affecting A-NHOPI midlife lesbians.

Key Words:

• Lesbian
• health status
• abuse
• Asian American
• smoking
• alcohol
• Pacific Islander