Introduction

Reductions in structural stigmas, such as gaining access to legalized same-sex marriage, are associated with positive psychological and physical health outcomes among sexual minorities. However, these positive outcomes may be less robust among sexual minority women (SMW).

Methods

This study examined how perceptions of the impact of legalized same-sex marriage among SMW may (1) differ by demographic characteristics and (2) predict alcohol use disorder, depression, and self-perceived health. A diverse sample of SMW (N=446) completed an online survey in 2020 assessing the perceived impact of legalized same-sex marriage across six social-ecological domains: (1) personal impact, (2) stigma-related concerns, (3) couple impact, (4) family support, (5) work/school impact, and (6) local social climate towards LGBTQ people.

Results

Perceived impact across multiple domains differed by relationship status and sexual identity (e.g., lesbian compared to bisexual identity); only family support differed by race/ethnicity. Stigma-related concerns (e.g., experiencing or witnessing hostility or discrimination because of sexual identity, despite legalized same-sex marriage) were associated with greater odds of depression and lower odds of reporting excellent, very good, or good health. Odds of depression were lower among participants who reported higher personal impact, a greater number of family members supportive of same-sex marriage, and a more positive local social climate. Family support also predicted self-perceived health. However, participants who perceived increased support in work/school contexts after legalized same-sex marriage had higher odds of alcohol use disorder.

Conclusions

Overall, findings underscore the importance of policy in improving health outcomes through reducing stigma-related concerns and improving social acceptance.

Policy Implications

Policies that protect the rights of sexual minorities at the federal level are important to the health and well-being of sexual minority women.

中文翻译：

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检查同性婚姻合法化对性少数女性的影响：识别人口统计学差异以及与酒精使用障碍、抑郁和自我感知健康相关的因素

 介绍

结构性耻辱的减少，例如获得合法化的同性婚姻，与性少数群体积极的心理和身体健康结果相关。然而，这些积极成果在性少数女性 (SMW) 中可能不太明显。

 方法

这项研究探讨了 SMW 对同性婚姻合法化的影响的看法如何（1）因人口特征而不同，以及（2）预测酒精使用障碍、抑郁症和自我认知健康。 SMW 的不同样本（ N = 446）于 2020 年完成了一项在线调查，评估同性婚姻合法化对六个社会生态领域的感知影响：(1) 个人影响，(2) 耻辱相关问题，(3)夫妻影响，(4) 家庭支持，(5) 工作/学校影响，以及 (6) 当地对 LGBTQ 人群的社会氛围。

 结果

跨多个领域的感知影响因关系状态和性别身份而异（例如，女同性恋与双性恋身份相比）；只有家庭支持因种族/民族而异。与耻辱相关的担忧（例如，尽管同性婚姻合法化，但由于性别认同而经历或目睹敌意或歧视）与患抑郁症的几率较高以及报告健康状况良好、非常好或良好的几率较低有关。那些表示个人影响力较高、支持同性婚姻的家庭成员较多以及当地社会氛围更加积极的参与者，患抑郁症的几率较低。家庭支持也可以预测自我感知的健康状况。然而，在同性婚姻合法化后，在工作/学校环境中感受到更多支持的参与者患酒精使用障碍的几率更高。

 结论

总体而言，研究结果强调了政策通过减少与耻辱相关的担忧和提高社会接受度来改善健康结果的重要性。

 政策影响

联邦一级保护性少数群体权利的政策对于性少数群体妇女的健康和福祉非常重要。