Increasingly, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are fleeing the 67 countries that criminalize consensual same-sex intimate relationships, seeking asylum in countries such as the United States. Minority stress theory posits that compared with non-LGB refugees and asylum seekers (RAS), LGB RAS are likely to face persecution, rejection, and discrimination and have a higher risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study assessed differences in sociodemographic characteristics, persecution experiences, and mental health outcomes among 959 RAS persecuted for same-sex behavior (pLGB RAS) who presented for care and social services at the Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights. Data were derived from intake interviews with RAS clients that elicited torture experiences and assessed PTSD symptoms using the Short Screening Scale for PTSD. Over 11% of the total sample were pLGB RAS. Compared with non–pLGB RAS, pLGB RAS reported higher PTSD symptom levels, β = .08, p = .031; more difficulty loving others, d = 0.13, p < .001; and feeling more isolated, d = 0.10, p = .005. pLGB RAS reported more persecution, d = 0.31, p = .002; physical assaults, d = 0.22, p = .029; and psychological assaults, d = 0.20, p = .047; and were more likely to be asylum seekers, d = 0.11, p = .001, and have experienced persecution in Uganda, d = 0.39, p < .001, and other countries that criminalize same-sex acts, d = 0.26, p < .001. More research is needed to understand clinical outcomes and implications of treatment for this population.

中文翻译：

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因同性行为而受到迫害的寻求庇护者和难民的人口特征、酷刑经历和创伤后应激障碍症状

越来越多的女同性恋、男同性恋和双性恋 (LGB) 个人逃离 67 个将双方同意的同性亲密关系定为犯罪的国家，在美国等国家寻求庇护。少数族裔压力理论认为，与非 LGB 难民和寻求庇护者 (RAS) 相比，LGB RAS 可能面临迫害、拒绝和歧视，并且出现创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 症状的风险更高。本研究评估了在波士顿难民健康和人权中心接受护理和社会服务的 959 名因同性行为 (pLGB RAS) 受到迫害的 RAS 之间的社会人口特征、迫害经历和心理健康结果的差异。数据来自对 RAS 客户的采访，这些客户引发了酷刑经历并使用 PTSD 短筛查量表评估了 PTSD 症状。超过 11% 的总样本是 pLGB RAS。与非 pLGB RAS 相比，pLGB RAS 报告了更高的 PTSD 症状水平，β = .08，p = .031; 更难爱他人，d = 0.13，p < .001；并且感觉更加孤立，d = 0.10，p = .005。pLGB RAS 报告了更多的迫害，d = 0.31，p = .002；身体攻击，d = 0.22，p = .029；和心理攻击，d = 0.20，p = .047；并且更有可能是寻求庇护者，d = 0.11，p = .001，并在乌干达遭受过迫害，d = 0.39，p < .001，以及其他将同性行为定为犯罪的国家，d = 0.26，p < .001。需要更多的研究来了解该人群的临床结果和治疗的影响。