Dissertation
Association of sexual orientation with mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Apr 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7735
Abstract
Little is known about the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among sexual minorities. The mechanisms linking sexual minority orientation and CVD risk is rarely studied as well. Based on minority stress theory, this dissertation developed a general hypothesis that sexual minorities are exposed to higher levels of stress than heterosexuals, which may leads to increased risks of mental health disorders and CVD. Four cross-sectional studies were conducted in this dissertation, analyzing the NESARC data of nationally-representative non-institutionalized U.S. adults. Specific analytic approaches include multiple logistic regression modelling, mediation analysis, latent class analysis, stratified analysis, and quantitative intersectionality analysis. In the first study, we assessed CVD risk among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGB) compared with self-identified heterosexuals and whether mental health disorders mediate this association. In the second study, we evaluated the impact of sexual minority stress on the CVD risk among sexual minorities and whether intersection of other social identities and psychosocial factors interactively affect this relationship. In the third study, we assessed the risk of CVD and mental health disorders for persons with uncertain sexual identity and those who self-identified as heterosexual but had same-gender sex and /or attraction. In the fourth study, we assessed the geographic disparities in CVD risk for LGB persons and modified effect by social support.
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Details
- Title
- Association of sexual orientation with mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease
- Creators
- Lezhou Wu - DU
- Contributors
- Seth Welles (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 127 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7735; 991014632171504721