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. 2024 Apr 30;12(9):924.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare12090924.

Sexual Orientation, Health, and Well-Being in Spanish People

Roberto Matías  1 , M Pilar Matud  1
Affiliations

Sexual Orientation, Health, and Well-Being in Spanish People

Roberto Matías et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Although several studies have found disparities in health outcomes between heterosexual and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-identifying individuals, few studies have focused on subjective well-being and protective factors for health and well-being. The purpose of this work is twofold: (1) to examine the relevance of sexual orientation to health and well-being in women and men; (2) to identify protective and risk factors for psychological distress, self-rated health, and well-being for gay men, lesbian women, bisexual women and men, and heterosexual women and men. The sample consisted of 908 women and 586 men from the general Spanish population aged 16-64, half of whom identified themselves as LGB and half as heterosexual. All were assessed using eight questionnaires and inventories. The results showed that differences varied depending on the health indicator considered. In general, bisexuals had the poorest health, with lower self-rated health and lower self-esteem. In all groups, self-esteem was a protective factor against psychological distress and was associated with better health and well-being. To a lesser extent, social support served as a protective factor against psychological distress and was associated with greater well-being in all groups. It is concluded that although sexual orientation is relevant to the health and well-being of individuals, there are differences among sexual minorities, with bisexuals having lower self-esteem than homosexuals.

Keywords: flourishing; gender; homonegativity; life satisfaction; psychological distress; resilience; self-esteem; self-rated health; sexual orientation; social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Changes in psychological distress as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in life satisfaction as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in self-esteem as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in resilience as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in fear of negative evaluation as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Changes in homonegativity as a function of sexual orientation and gender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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This research received no external funding.

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