Sexual orientation inequalities in mental health across adolescence and early adulthood: exploring the contribution of cumulative experiences of bullying and victimisation over time

A study examined mental health in sexual minorities (LGB+) and heterosexual individuals in the United Kingdom using a sample of 12,872 people (22% LGB+). It found that sexual minorities experience three times higher cumulative victimization and twice higher bullying during adolescence compared to heterosexual peers. Among those experiencing victimization twice or more, 53% of bisexual and 49% of gay/lesbian individuals reported self-harm compared to 23% of heterosexual individuals. Similarly, attempted suicide was reported by 38% of bisexual and 34% of gay/lesbian individuals compared to 13% of heterosexual individuals. Adjustment for loneliness and lack of social support reduced mental health problems in sexual minorities by 15-45%, but not in heterosexual individuals. The findings indicate that loneliness explains mental health inequalities to a substantially greater extent in sexual minorities.