Citation
Conron, Kerith J.; Goldberg, Shoshana K.; & Halpern, Carolyn Tucker (2018). Sexual Orientation and Sex Differences in Socioeconomic Status: A Population-Based Investigation in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 72(11), 1016-1026. PMCID: PMC6698380Abstract
BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) is a fundamental contributor to health; however, limited research has examined sexual orientation differences in SES.METHODS: 2008-2009 data from 14 051 participants (ages 24-32 years) in the US-based, representative, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were analysed using multivariable regressions that adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, childhood SES, urbanicity and Census region, separately for females and males. Modification by racial minority status (black or Latino vs white, non-Hispanic) was also explored.
RESULTS: Among females, sexual minorities (SM) (10.5% of females) were less likely to graduate college, and were more likely to be unemployed, poor/near poor, to receive public assistance and to report economic hardship and lower social status than heterosexuals. Adjusting for education attenuated many of these differences. Among males, SM (4.2% of males) were more likely than heterosexuals to be college graduates; however, they also had lower personal incomes. Lower rates of homeownership were observed among SM, particularly racial minority SM females. For males, household poverty patterns differed by race-ethnicity: among racial minority males, SM were more likely than heterosexuals to be living at >400% federal poverty level), whereas the pattern was reversed among whites.
CONCLUSIONS: Sexual minorities, especially females, are of lower SES than their heterosexual counterparts. SES should be considered a potential mediator of SM stigma on health. Studies of public policies that may produce, as well as mitigate, observed SES inequities, are warranted.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2017-209860Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2018Journal Title
Journal of Epidemiology and Community HealthAuthor(s)
Conron, Kerith J.Goldberg, Shoshana K.
Halpern, Carolyn Tucker