Introduction To Sexuality And Health Flashcards
Defining sexual orientation
“An individuals pattern of physical and emotional arousal and the genders of a persons to whom an individual is physically or sexually attracted to
Common sexual orientations
- homosexual
- heterosexual
- bisexual
- pansexual
- asexual
Homophobia definition
An irrational fear or hatred of homosexual people
Heterosexism definition
The societal expectation that heterosexuality is expected normal
Development of sexual orientation
everyone develops a sexual orientation
Typically it emerges before or in early adolescence in the formal operational stage of development (11+)
While not directly linked, it is believed that family, cultural and societal expectations can drive the sexual orientation fo someone
LGBTQIA mental health
MOST are healthy/well-adjusted
Most mental health symptoms are curated via stigmatization and bullying
Protective factors include:
- acceptance (#1)
- competence
- high levels of self esteem
- strong sense of self/self-appearance
- strong ethnic identifications
- strong family and school connections
- being an adult role model
- having involvement in the community
Minority stress theory
Being a minority (race, socioeconomic, ethnicity, sexuality) can experience stigmatization related to these minority status
This causes prejudice, discrimination and lack of acceptance in society = minority stress
Minority stress = any of the following negative factors:
- low self-esteem
- anxiety
- depression
- substance use
- sex/STI risk
- self-harm/suicide
- socioeconomic disadvantage
psychological distresses and adverse psychosocial outcomes are society induced, not inherited to being a sexual minorities individual
What health disparities are seen in. High rates for LGBTQIA teens vs heterosexual
Depression
Substance use
- especially smoking
Eating disorders
Suicidal ideation
Unplanned pregnancy
Homelessness
High risk sexual behavior
What is the #1 drug that is more common in sexual minorities vs heterosexual people?
Smoking
- teens have a very high rate and almost all sexual monitory adults smoke
What is the health disparities related to HIV
MSM individuals are at highest risk as a group
- black MSM individuals are at the highest risk for individuals
In general, white people tend to get HIV less than minorities
When to ask about sexuality
In instances where i am able to take a thorough social history
In primary care settings almost always
Questions to ask
- are you sexually active?
- with whom do you have sex with?
- do you practice safer sex?
- how does your partner(s) indenting their gender or sexual orientation
Conversion theory
An intervention that attempts to convert someone’s sexuality
IS NOT INDICATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
Specific sexual minority care in the primary care setting
Screen for health disorders
Screen for substance use disorders
Screen for medical conditions should be based on behaviors
Give up to date vaccines
Give PrEP (pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis) if indicated
Screen for partner violence
IPV in same-sex relationships
Intimate partner violence
Same sex relationships have slightly higher rates than heterosexual relationships
Important to screen for
Indications for PrEP?
PrEP = prophylaxis vaccine for HIV
Indications:
- HIV positive partner
- Has sex with multiple partners
- has anal sex without a condom
- gay/bisexual male with recent STD
- use injectable drugs and share needles
