Table 3.
Prevalence and adjusted risk ratios of mental health indicators and suicide-related symptoms among men, by sexual orientation, California Quality of Life Surveys 2008–2009/2012–2013
| Gay | Bisexual | MSM1 | Heterosexual2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % (SE) | aRR (95%CI) | % (SE) | aRR (95%CI) | % (SE) | aRR (95%CI) | % (SE) | |
| Mental Health Indicators | |||||||
| Past 30 days distress | |||||||
| None | 80.6 (2.8) | 0.93 (0.86–1.01) | 70.0 (5.8) | 0.90 (0.81–1.00) | 74.8 (8.6) | 0.82 (0.64–1.06) | 86.8 (1.0) |
| Mild | 11.2 (2.4) | 1.37 (1.02–1.83)* | 14.9 (4.3) | 1.55 (1.12–2.15)* | 10.5 (5.1) | 1.88 (1.16–3.03)* | 7.4 (0.8) |
| Moderate/severe | 8.2 (1.9) | 1.41 (0.80–2.48) | 15.1 (4.9) | 1.65 (0.83–3.28) | 14.7 (7.6) | 2.70 (1.02–7.13)* | 5.8 (0.7) |
| Past year major depression | 18.2 (2.7) | 1.65 (1.12–2.45)* | 12.6 (3.8) | 1.00 (0.52–1.91) | 24.8 (8.6) | 2.87 (1.48–5.60)* | 8.8 (0.8) |
| Suicide-related Symptoms | |||||||
| Past year suicidal ideation | 7.1 (1.8) | 1.67 (0.88–3.19) | 7.2 (2.5) | 1.43 (0.67–3.13) | 30.8 (9.7) | 7.81 (3.62–16.84)* | 3.4 (0.5) |
| Lifetime suicidal ideation | 31.2 (3.0) | 2.20 (1.70–2.84)* | 43.8 (6.0) | 2.94 (2.13–4.06)* | 58.3 (9.6) | 3.95 (2.72–5.74)* | 14.1 (1.0) |
| Lifetime suicide attempt | 9.0 (1.5) | 1.89 (1.18–3.05)* | 14.2 (3.7) | 2.70 (1.44–5.06)* | 28.9 (9.7) | 6.93 (3.65–13.15)* | 4.0 (0.6) |
Note: Weighted percentages and standard errors shown; all multivariable models adjusted for survey year, age, race/ethnicity, foreign birth, education, partnership status, family income, and veteran status. aRR = adjusted risk ratio.
1
MSW indicates homosexually-experienced men nearly all of whom identify as heterosexual.
2
Referent category for multivariate analyses.
*
p<0.05 in comparisons gender by sexual orientation (e.g., gay men vs. heterosexual men)