Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T00:38:35.541Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Psychiatric disorders, suicidality, and personality among young men by sexual orientation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

J. Wang ,
M. Dey ,
L. Soldati ,
M.G. Weiss ,
G. Gmel  and
M. Mohler-Kuo
J. Wang*
Affiliation:
Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich Hirschengraben 84, 8001Zurich, Switzerland Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Socinstrasse 57, 4002Basel, Switzerland
M. Dey
Affiliation:
Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich Hirschengraben 84, 8001Zurich, Switzerland
L. Soldati
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital rue de Lausanne 20, 1201GenevaSwitzerland
M.G. Weiss
Affiliation:
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Socinstrasse 57, 4002Basel, Switzerland University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
G. Gmel
Affiliation:
Alcohol Treatment Center, University Hospital of Lausanne avenue Beaumont 21 bis, Pavillon 2, 1011Lausanne, Switzerland
M. Mohler-Kuo
Affiliation:
Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich Hirschengraben 84, 8001Zurich, Switzerland
*
*Corresponding author. Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland. Tel.: +41 44 634 46 49; fax: +41 44 634 49 86. E-mail address: jwang@ifspm.uzh.ch (J. Wang).
Get access

Abstract

Personality and its potential role in mediating risk of psychiatric disorders and suicidality are assessed by sexual orientation, using data collected among young Swiss men (n = 5875) recruited while presenting for mandatory military conscription. Mental health outcomes were analyzed by sexual attraction using logistic regression, controlling for five-factor model personality traits and socio-demographics. Homo/bisexual men demonstrated the highest scores for neuroticism-anxiety but the lowest for sociability and sensation seeking, with no differences for aggression-hostility. Among homo/bisexual men, 10.2% fulfilled diagnostic criteria for major depression in the past 2 weeks, 10.8% for ADHD in the past 12 months, 13.8% for lifetime anti-social personality disorder (ASPD), and 6.0% attempted suicide in the past 12 months. Upon adjusting (AOR) for personality traits, their odds ratios (OR) for major depression (OR = 4.78, 95% CI 2.81–8.14; AOR = 1.46, 95% CI 0.80–2.65) and ADHD (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.31–3.58; AOR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.58–1.75) lost statistical significance, and the odds ratio for suicide attempt was halved (OR = 5.10, 95% CI 2.57–10.1; AOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.16–5.02). There are noteworthy differences in personality traits by sexual orientation, and much of the increased mental morbidity appears to be accounted for by such underlying differences, with important implications for etiology and treatment.

Keywords

DepressionADHDAnti-social personality disorderSuicidalityPersonalityHomosexuality
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 29 , Issue 8 , October 2014 , pp. 514 - 522
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2014

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aluja, A., García, Ó., García, L.F.Replicability of the three, four, and five Zuckerman's personality super-factors: exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the EPQ-RS, ZKPQ and NEO-PI-R. Pers Individ Differences 2004;36(5):1093–1108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aluja, A., Rossier, J., García, L.F., Angleitner, A., Kuhlman, M., Zuckerman, M.A cross-cultural shortened form of the ZKPQ (ZKPQ-50-cc) adapted to English, French, German, and Spanish languages. Pers Individ Differences 2006;41:619–628.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baggio, S., Studer, J., Mohler-Kuo, M., Daeppen, J.-B., Gmel, G.Profiles of drug users in Switzerland and effects of early-onset intensive use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis on other illicit drug use. Swiss Med Weekly 2013;143:w13805.Google ScholarPubMed
Bech, P., Rasmussen, N.-A., Raabæk Olsen, L., Noerholm, V., Abildgaard, W.The sensitivity and specificity of the Major Depression Inventory, using the Present State Examination as the index of diagnostic validity. J Affect Disord 2001;66:159–164.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bostwick, W.B., Boyd, C.J., Hughes, T.L., McCabe, S.E.Dimensions of sexual orientation and the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in the United States. Am J Public Health 2010;100(3):468–475.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bouchard, T.J., McGue, M.Genetic and environmental influences on human psychological differences. J Neurobiol 2003;54(1):4–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chakraborty, A., McManus, S., Brugha, T.S., Bebbington, P., King, M.Mental health of the non-heterosexual population of England. Br J Psychiatry 2011;198:143–148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cobb-Clark, D.A., Schurer, S.The stability of Big Five personality traits. Econ Lett 2012;115:11–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cohen, J.Statistical Power Analyses for the Behavioral Sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum; 1988.Google Scholar
Corboz, J., Dowsett, G., Mitchell, A., Couch, M., Agius, P., Pitts, M.Feeling queer and blue: a review of the literature on depression and related issues among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other homosexually active people. Melbourne: La Trobe University; 2008.Google Scholar
Costa, P.T., McCrae, R.R.Personality disorders and the five-factor model of personality. J Personal Disord 1990;4:362–371.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Costa, P.T., Terracciano, A., McCrae, R.R.Gender differences in personality traits across cultures: robust and surprising findings. J Pers Soc Psychol 2001;81(2):322–331.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dickson, N., van Roode, T., Cameron, C., Paul, C.Stability and change in same-sex attraction, experience, and identity by sex and age in a New Zealand birth cohort. Arch Sex Behav 2013;42:752–763.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duggan, C., Milton, J., Egan, V., McCarthy, L., Palmer, B., Lee, A.Theories of general personality and mental disorder. Br J Psychiatry 2003;182(Suppl. 44):s19–s23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Everett, B. Sexual orientation identity change and mental health: a longitudinal analysis. Unpublished manuscript, 2012.Google Scholar
Fergusson, D.M., Horwood, L.J., Ridder, E.M., Beautrais, A.L.Sexual orientation and mental health in a birth cohort of young adults. Psychol Med 2005;35:971–981.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frisell, T., Lichtenstein, P., Rahman, Q., Långström, N.Psychiatric morbidity associated with same-sex sexual behaviour: influence of minority stress and familial factors. Psychol Med 2010;40:315–324.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haas, A.P., Eliason, M., Mays, V.M., Mathy, R.M., Cochran, S.D., D’Augelli, A.R.et al.Suicide and suicide risk in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: review and recommendations. J Homosex 2011;58(1):10–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoyle, R.H., Stephenson, M.T., Palmgreen, P., Pugzles Lorch, E., Lewis Donohew, R.Reliability and validity of a brief measure of sensation seeking. Pers Individ Differences 2002;32:401–414.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huang, Y., Kotov, R., de Girolamo, G., Preti, A., Angermeyer, M., Benjet, C.et al.DSM-IV personality disorders in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Br J Psychiatry 2009;195:46–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Katz, R., McGuffin, P.Neuroticism in familial depression. Psychol Med 1987;17:155–161.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kessler, R.C., Ustun, T.B.The World Mental Health (WMH) Survey initiative version of the World Health Organization (WHO) Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2005;13(2):93–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kessler, R.C., Adler, L., Ames, M., Delmer, O., Faraone, S., Hiripi, E.et al.The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychol Med 2005;35:245–256.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kessler, R.C., Adler, L.A., Gruber, M.J., Sarawate, C.A., Spencer, T., Van Brunt, D.L.Validity of the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener in a representative sample of health plan members. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2007;16(2):52–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
King, M., Semlyen, J., Tai, S.S., Killaspy, H., Osborn, D., Popelyuk, D.et al.A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self-harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people. BMC Psychiatry 2008;8:70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Klein, D.N., Kotov, R., Bufferd, S.J.Personality and depression: explanatory models and review of the evidence. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2011;7:269–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kokkevi, A., Rotsika, V., Arapaki, A., Richardson, C.Adolescents’ self-reported suicide attempts, self-harm thoughts and their correlates across 17 European countries. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2012;53(4):381–389.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kotov, R., Gamez, W., Schmidt, F., Watson, D.Linking “big” personality traits to anxiety, depressive, and substance use disorders: a meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 2010;136(5):768–821.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Krueger, R.F.Continuity of axes I and II: toward a unified model of personality, personality disorders, and clinical disorders. J Personal Disord 2005;19(3):233–261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kulkin, H.S., Chauvin, E.A., Percle, G.A.Suicide among gay and lesbian adolescents and young adults: a review of the literature. J Homosex 2000;40(1):1–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindley, L.L., Walsermann, K.M., Carter, J.W. Jr.The association of sexual orientation measures with young adults’ health-related outcomes. Am J Public Health 2012;102(6):1177–1185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lippa, R.A.Sexual orientation and personality. Annu Rev Sex Res 2005;16:119–153.Google Scholar
Lippa, R.A.Sex differences and sexual orientation differences in personality: findings from the BBC internet survey. Arch Sex Behav 2008;37:173–187.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loosier, P.S., Dittus, P.J.Group differences in risk across three domains using an expanded measure of sexual orientation. J Primary Prevention 2010;31:261–272.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marshal, M.P., Dietz, L.J., Friedman, M.S., Stall, R., Smith, H.A., McGinley, J.et al.Suicidality and depression disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth. J Adolesc Health 2011;49:115–123.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Middledorp, C.M., Cath, D.C., Beem, A.L., Willemsen, G., Boomsma, D.I.Life events, anxious depression and personality: a prospective and genetic study. Psychol Med 2008;38:1557–1565.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nigg, J.T., John, O.P., Blaskey, L.G., Huang-Pollock, C.L., Willcutt, E.G., Hinshaw, S.P.et al.Big Five dimensions and ADHD symptoms: Links between personality traits and clinical symptoms. J Pers Soc Psychol 2002;83:451–469.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ott, M.Q., Corliss, H.L., Wypij, D., Rosario, M., Bryn Austin, S.Stability and change in self-reported sexual orientation identity in young people: application of mobility metrics. Arch Sex Behav 2011;40:519–532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Parker, J.D.A., Majeski, S.A., Collin, T.ADHD symptoms and personality: relationships with the five-factor model. Pers Individ Differences 2004;36:977–987.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plöderl, M., Sauer, J., Fartacek, R.Suizidalität und psychische Gesundheit von homo- und bisexuellen Männern und Frauen–eine Metaanalyse internationaler Zufallsstichproben. Verhaltenstherapie & psychosoziale Praxis 2006;38(2):283–302.Google Scholar
Remafedi, G., Farrow, J., Deischer, R.W.Risk factors for attempted suicide in gay and bisexual youth. Pediatrics 1991;87:869–875.Google ScholarPubMed
Robinson, J.P., Espelage, D.L.Inequities in educational and psychological outcomes between LGBTQ and straight students in middle and high school. Educ Res 2011;40(7):315–330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sandfort, T.G.M., de Graaf, R., Bijl, R.V., Schnabel, P.Same-sex sexual behavior and psychiatric disorders: Findings from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:85–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saulsman, L.M., Page, A.C.The five-factor model and personality disorder empirical literature: a meta-analytical review. Clin Psychol Rev 2004;23:1055–1085.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savin-Williams, R.C., Joyner, K., Rieger, G.Prevalence and stability of self-reported sexual orientation identity during young adulthood. Arch Sex Behav 2012;41:103–110.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Savitz, J.B., Cupido, C.-L., Ramesar, R.S.Trends in suicidology: personality as an endophenotype for molecular genetic investigations. PLoS Med 2002;3(5):e107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmitt, D.P., Allik, J., McCrae, R.R., Benet-Martínez, V.The geographical distribution of Big Five personality traits: patterns and profiles of human self-description across 56 nations. J Cross Cult Psychol 2007;38(2):173–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmitt, D.P., Realo, A., Voracek, M., Allik, J.Why can’t a man be more like a woman? Sex differences in Big Five personality traits across 55 cultures. J Pers Soc Psychol 2008;94(1):168–182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sheehan, D.V., Lecrubier, Y., Sheehan, K.H., Amorim, P., Janavs, J., Weiller, E.et al.The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J Clin Psychiatr 1998;59(Suppl. 20):22–57.Google ScholarPubMed
Studer, J., Baggio, S., Mohler-Kuo, M., Dermota, P., Gaume, J., Bertholet, N.et al.Examining non-response bias in substance use research--are late respondents proxies for non-respondents?. Drug Alcohol Depend 1321–22013 316–323.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Trull, T.J.The five-factor model of personality disorder and DSM-5. J Pers 2012;80:1697–1720.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vrangalova, Z., Savin-Williams, R.C.Mostly heterosexual and mostly gay/lesbian: evidence for new sexual orientation identities. Arch Sex Behav 2012;41:85–101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, J, Plöderl, M, Häusermann, M, Weiss, M.Understanding suicide attempts among gay men from their self-perceived causes. Submitted for publication.Google Scholar
Wang, J., Häusermann, M., Ajdacic-Gross, V., Aggleton, P., Weiss, M.G.High prevalence of mental disorders and comorbidity in the Geneva Gay Men's Health Survey. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2007;42:414–420.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, J., Häusermann, M., Wydler, H., Mohler-Kuo, M., Weiss, M.G.Suicidality and sexual orientation among men in Switzerland: Findings from 3 probability surveys. J Psychiatr Res 2012;46:980–986.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, J., Häusermann, M., Berrut, S., Weiss, M.G.The impact of a depression awareness campaign on mental health literacy and mental morbidity among gay men. J Affect Disord 2013;150(2):306–312.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, J., Häusermann, M., Weiss, M.G.Mental health literacy and the experience of depression in a community sample of gay men. J Affect Disord 2014;155:200–207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ware, J.E., Kosinski, M., Keller, S.D.A 12-item short-form health survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Med Care 1996;34(3):220–233.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weinstock, L.M., Whisman, M.A.Neuroticism as a common feature of the depressive and anxiety disorders: a test of the reviewed integrative hierarchical model in a national sample. J Abnorm Psychol 2006;115(1):68–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wells, B.W.P., Schofield, C.B.S.Personality characteristics of homosexual men suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. Br J Vener Dis 1972;48:75–78.Google ScholarPubMed
Wichstrøm, L., Hegna, K.Sexual orientation and suicide attempt: a longitudinal study of the general Norwegian adolescent population. J Abnorm Psychol 2003;112(1):144–151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zietsch, B.P.Explanations for elevated psychiatric vulnerability in non-heterosexuals: environmental stressors, genetics, and the HPA and HPG axes. In: Uehara, T., editor. Psychiatric Disorders – Worldwide Advances Rijeka: InTech; 2011.Google Scholar
Zietsch, B.P., Verweij, K.J.H., Bailey, J.M., Wright, M.J., Martin, N.G.Sexual orientation and psychiatric vulnerability: a twin study on neuroticism and psychoticism. Arch Sex Behav 2011;40:2011. p. 133–142.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zietsch, B.P., Verweij, K.J.H., Heath, A.C., Madden, P.A.F., Martin, N.G., Nelson, E.C.et al.Do shared etiological factors contribute to the relationship between sexual orientation and depression. Psychol Med 2012;42:521–532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zuckerman, M.Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ): an alternative five-factorial model. In: De Raad, B., Perugini, M., editors. Big Five Assessment Göttingen: Hogrefe & Huber Publishers; 2002. p. 377–396.Google Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.