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Mental Health Disparities Within The Lgbt Population: A Comparison Between Transgender And Nontransgender Individuals, Dejun Su, Jay A. Irwin, Christopher Fisher, Athena Ramos, Megan Kelley, Diana Ariss Rogel Mendoza, Jason D. Coleman

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study assessed within a Midwestern LGBT population whether, and the extent to which, transgender identity was associated with elevated odds of reported discrimination, depression symptoms, and suicide attempts.

Methods: Based on survey data collected online from respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender persons over the age of 19 in Nebraska in 2010, this study performed bivariate t- or chisquare tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine differences in reported discrimination, depression symptoms, suicide attempts, and self-acceptance of LGBT identity between 91 transgender and 676 nontransgender respondents.

Results: After controlling for the …

Using The Minority Stress Model To Understand Depression In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Individuals In Nebraska, Molly Mccarthy, Christopher M. Fisher, Jay A. Irwin, Jason D. Coleman, Aja D. Kneip Pelster

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

Previous studies demonstrated the utility of the minority stress model in understanding health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Since most research has considered large metropolitan areas, predominantly in coastal regions of the United States, this research focuses on a midwestern state, Nebraska. This study sought to assess the relationships between depressive symptoms experienced by participants (N = 770) and minority stress variables, including experiences with violence, perceptions of discrimination, and respondents’ degree of self-acceptance of their LGBT identity. Regression analysis revealed that after controlling for demographic variables, self-acceptance, and perceived discrimination were correlated with depressive symptoms. …

The Midlands Lgbt Needs Assessment Community Report, Christopher M. Fisher, Jay A. Irwin, Jason D. Coleman, Molly Mccarthy, Jessica Chavez

Sociology and Anthropology Faculty Publications

Health disparities research seeks to understand specific health-related needs and outcomes for groups of people, particularly minority groups. In 2011, the Institutes of Medicine (IOM) released a report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health entitled The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) People: Building a Foundation for Understanding. For the first time, research on the health and well-being of LGBT persons has been prioritized by research funders at the highest levels.