Pubertal Onset and Sexual Orientation in an Adolescent National Probability Sample

Using 6-year longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and multiple measures of puberty as it occurs and of sexual orientation (romantic attraction, sexual identity), the present study attempted to replicate previous research which reported that homosexuals and heterosexuals differed in their age of pubertal onset. The study hypotheses were not confirmed for either males or females: on most pubertal measures, same-sex oriented groupings did not differ from heterosexuals. The only significant findings regarding homosexual males indicated that they were more likely to report having a later rather than an earlier onset of puberty, and the significant findings regarding homosexual females were contradictory—they tended to have an earlier onset of puberty. These findings are attributed to methodological improvements in the present study that reduced retrospective bias, used multiple indicators of sexual orientation and puberty timing, and assessed less eroticized measures of puberty.     

Lack of evidence for increased risk of hepatitis A infection in homosexual men.

In 1997, prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection were evaluated in 146 homosexual and 286 heterosexual men attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic in Rome, Italy. Total HAV antibody (anti-HAV) was detected in 60.3% of homosexuals and 62.2% of heterosexuals. After adjustment for the confounding effects of age, years of schooling, number of sexual partners, use of condoms, and history of STD, homosexuals were not found to be at increased risk of previous HAV exposure than heterosexuals (OR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.9). Independent predictors of the likelihood of anti-HAV seropositivity among homosexuals and heterosexuals were: age older than 35 years and positive syphilis serology which is likely a proxy of lifestyles that increase the risk of faecal-oral infections. These findings do not support a higher risk in homosexual men but could suggest a role for the vaccination of susceptible patients attending STD clinics.     

Suicidality and Sexual Orientation: Differences Between Men and Women in a General Population-Based Sample From The Netherlands

Homosexuality has been shown to be associated with suicidality and mental disorders. It is unclear whether homosexuality is related to suicidality, independently of mental disorders. This study assessed differences in lifetime symptoms of suicidality (death ideation, death wishes, suicide contemplation, and deliberate self-harm) between homosexual and heterosexual men and women, controlling for lifetime psychiatric morbidity. Interaction effects of age and the role of perceived discrimination were also examined. Data were collected on a representative sample of the Dutch population aged 18–64 years. Classification as heterosexual or homosexual was based upon reported sexual behavior in the preceding year. Of those sexually active, 2.8% of 2,878 men and 1.4% of 3,120 women had had same-sex partners. Homosexual men differed from their heterosexual counterparts on all four suicide symptoms (OR ranging from 2.58 to 10.23, with higher ORs for more severe symptoms), and on the sum total of the four symptoms; homosexual women only differed from heterosexual women on suicide contemplation (OR=2.12). Controlling for psychiatric morbidity decreased the ORs, but among men all associations were still significant; the significance for suicide contemplation among women disappeared. Younger homosexuals were not at lower risk for suicidality than older homosexuals in comparison with their heterosexual counterparts. Among homosexual men, perceived discrimination was associated with suicidality. This study suggests that even in a country with a comparatively tolerant climate regarding homosexuality, homosexual men were at much higher risk for suicidality than heterosexual men. This relationship could not only be attributed to their higher psychiatric morbidity. In women, there was no such clear relationship.     

Identity and mental health risks for young gays in Mexico: recreating the homosexual experience

In Mexico, mental disorders have displayed a sharp upward trend. Suicidal conduct is one of the most important mental health problems in the young population, with sexual orientation as a risk factor, since homosexuals show higher probability of suicide as compared to heterosexuals. Suicidal conduct is associated with prior health problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, related to predisposing factors like formative experiences with personality. The current study takes a qualitative approach to explore the risk of mental health disorders in homosexuals, associated with suicidal conduct, based on their experience with homophobia in primary and secondary socialization settings. Discourse analysis revealed the relationship interviewees assigned to social rejection of their sexuality and key symptoms of depression (sadness), anxiety (fear), and suicidal conduct (intent and ideation).     

Associated with Differences in Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Migrants in South Korea

We investigated influential factors on differences in sexual risk-taking among homosexual migrants. The data used in this paper are based on the survey and medical examination for migrants’ sexual behaviors that was carried out by the Korea Federation for HIV/AIDS Prevention in 2011–2013 on participants living in South Korea. Among 1141 migrants, homosexuals were 0.54 times less likely to use condom than heterosexuals. Homosexuals were 2.93 times more likely to be infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than heterosexuals. Among 250 homosexual migrants, those who preferred risky sexual intercourse were 0.19 times less likely to use a condom than heterosexual migrants. Those who have a fixed sexual partner were 0.35 times less likely to be infected with HIV than their counterparts. Administrative programs for STDs prevention of migrants should be focused on their sexual risk-taking, which were limited to casual partnership, unprotected sex, and previous contraction of sexual diseases.     

Are homosexual males a risk group for hepatitis A infection in intermediate endemicity areas?

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of antibody against hepatitis A (anti-HAV) in a population of homosexual men compared with that of heterosexual men in an area of intermediate HAV endemicity (Madrid, Spain). A total of 148 patients were recruited in a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic: 74 homosexuals (mean age of 28 +/- 5 years) and 74 heterosexuals (29 +/- 5 years). The prevalence of anti-HAV antibody was 47% and 43% for homo- and heterosexuals, respectively. Among the factors evaluated (age, sexual orientation and practices, travel to high HAV endemicity areas) oral-anal contact was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of anti-HAV antibody (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-7.4; P = 0.03). These results indicated that in an area of intermediate endemicity young homosexual men are not at increased risk of having acquired hepatitis A infection than heterosexuals. Oral-anal contact is an independent risk factor that influences the presence of anti-HAV antibody, regardless of sexual orientation.     

Recalled Parent—Child Relations and need for approval of homosexual and heterosexual men

Young adult male homosexuals were recruited from a homosexual group and were given the Roe-Siegelman Parent—Child Relations questionnaire and the Marlowe-Crowne social desirability scale. Compared to a control group of heterosexuals, the homosexual group rated their mothers significantly more rejecting and their fathers less loving and more rejecting. The Love—Reject factor also showed the between-groups difference for the ratings of fathers; for mothers, the Love—Reject factor difference was marginally significant. The homosexual group also had a significantly higher mean score on the social desirability scale. This study, using direct subject selection and control of test administration, gives a close replication of important parts of Siegelman's (1974) results, especially the ratings of fathers' child-rearing practices and the homosexual—heterosexual difference on the social desirability scale.     

Psychopathology in self-identified female-to-male transsexuals,homosexuals, and heterosexuals

The comparative self-esteem and psychological well-being of female-to-male transsexuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals (patient and nonpatient) were studied. Results indicated that individual candidates for sex-change surgery varied appreciably in self-concept and adjustment, and as a group were indistinguishable from psychiatric controls. Nonpatient homosexuals and heterosexuals demonstrated the most positive self-esteem and level of adjustment.     

Recalled Sex-typed Behavior in Childhood and Sports’ Preferences in Adulthood of Heterosexual,Bisexual, and Homosexual Men from Brazil,Turkey, and Thailand

This research used interview and questionnaire data from homosexual (n = 177), bisexual (n = 157), and heterosexual (n = 544) men between 20 and 30 years of age among lower class men and university students in three countries: Brazil, Thailand, and Turkey. The main goal of the study was to examine the recalled childhood sex-typed behavior and adult sports preferences that distinguish homosexuals from bisexuals and heterosexuals. In all three cultures and both social groups, homosexual men were almost always more likely as children to have wanted to be a girl, to cross-dress, to play with girls, to do girls’ tasks, and to practice fewer sports. They were also less likely to bully others or to engage in physical fights. As children, homosexual men were more likely to prefer swimming and playing volleyball rather than soccer and, as adults, they preferred watching gymnastics and swimming over soccer. The bisexuals scored intermediate mostly in “desire to be a girl” and “cross-dressing,” although they were much closer to the heterosexuals. These results, coupled with previous cross-cultural research, suggest that cross-gender behavior in childhood may characterize most male homosexuals regardless of their cultural milieu.     

Correlates of sexual orientation in the German Democratic Republic

From 5469 participants of a sexual inquiry in the German Democratic Republic, 90 homosexual and 107 heterosexual women and men were selected, aged 16–30. A comparison was made concerning aspects of leisure time and sexual life. Some differences appear with regard to leisure time between homosexual and heterosexual women and men. The importance of love and sexuality is as great for young homosexuals as it is for young heterosexuals, but the mode and quantity of their specific sexual activities differ. Homosexual women appear to be more sexually active than heterosexual women on some study parameters.     

New Evidence of Genetic Factors Influencing Sexual Orientation in Men: Female Fecundity Increase in the Maternal Line

There is a long-standing debate on the role of genetic factors influencing homosexuality because the presence of these factors contradicts the Darwinian prediction according to which natural selection should progressively eliminate the factors that reduce individual fecundity and fitness. Recently, however, Camperio Ciani, Corna, and Capiluppi (Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B: Biological Sciences, 271, 2217–2221, 2004), comparing the family trees of homosexuals with heterosexuals, reported a significant increase in fecundity in the females related to the homosexual probands from the maternal line but not in those related from the paternal one. This suggested that genetic factors that are partly linked to the X-chromosome and that influence homosexual orientation in males are not selected against because they increase fecundity in female carriers, thus offering a solution to the Darwinian paradox and an explanation of why natural selection does not progressively eliminate homosexuals. Since then, new data have emerged suggesting not only an increase in maternal fecundity but also larger paternal family sizes for homosexuals. These results are partly conflicting and indicate the need for a replication on a wider sample with a larger geographic distribution. This study examined the family trees of 250 male probands, of which 152 were homosexuals. The results confirmed the study of Camperio Ciani et al. (2004). We observed a significant fecundity increase even in primiparous mothers, which was not evident in the previous study. No evidence of increased paternal fecundity was found; thus, our data confirmed a sexually antagonistic inheritance partly linked to the X-chromosome that promotes fecundity in females and a homosexual sexual orientation in males.     

Eye Color, Hair Color, Blood Type, and the Rhesus Factor: Exploring Possible Genetic Links to Sexual Orientation

The present study sought to expand the limited evidence that sexual orientation is influenced by genetic factors. This was accomplished by seeking statistical differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals for four traits that are known to be genetically determined: eye color, natural hair color, blood type, and the Rhesus factor. Using a sample of over 7,000 U.S. and Canadian college students supplemented with additional homosexual subjects obtained through internet contacts, we found no significant differences between heterosexuals and homosexuals regarding eye color or hair color. In the case of blood type and the Rh factor, however, interesting patterns emerged. Heterosexual males and females exhibited statistically identical frequencies of the A blood type, while gay men exhibited a relatively low incidence and lesbians had a relatively high incidence (p < .05). In the case of the Rh factor, unusually high proportions of homosexuals of both sexes were Rh− when compared to heterosexuals (p < .06). The findings suggest that a connection may exist between sexual orientation and genes both on chromosome 9 (where blood type is determined) and on chromosome 1 (where the Rh factor is regulated).     

Digit Ratio (2D:4D) in Homosexual and Heterosexual Men from Austria

Neurohormonal theories of sexual orientation emphasize the organizational effects of testosterone on the developing brain. A recent suggestion, that the ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D:4D) is negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone, has led to a number of studies of 2D:4D in homosexual and heterosexual men and women. The results have been mixed. In comparison to heterosexual men, mean 2D:4D in gay men has been reported to be hypermasculinized (lower 2D:4D), hypomasculinized (higher 2D:4D), or to show no significant difference. Here, we report mean 2D:4D in Austrian homosexual and heterosexual men. We found no significant difference between means for homosexual and heterosexual 2D:4D, with values for both falling between 0.96 to 0.97. There are now 6 reports of 2D:4D in heterosexual and homosexual men. Considering Caucasian men, the studies from the United States show low heterosexual mean 2D:4D, and homosexual mean 2D:4D is higher or similar to that of heterosexuals. The European studies show high heterosexual mean 2D:4D, and comparisons with homosexuals reveal the latter to have lower or similar mean 2D:4D to that of heterosexuals. We discuss these results in relation to the suggestion that mean 2D:4D in heterosexual men differs across populations but mean 2D:4D in homosexuals shows less geographical variation (the “uniform mean hypothesis”). It is concluded that more data are required to clarify whether or not there is a 2D:4D effect for sexual orientation in men.This revised article was published online in June 2005 with the book reviews as separate articles     

Parental backgrounds of homosexual and heterosexual men: A cross national replication

In the present study of British respondents, few differences were found in the parental backgrounds of homosexual vs. heterosexual males. These findings were similar to those reported for male homosexuals vs. male heterosexuals living in the United States. It is suggested that a multifactorial and developmental theory of sexual orientation, including a more precise definition of homosexuality-heterosexuality, is needed to replace the simplistic and thus far generally unsupported explanations involving limited types of parental behavior.     

A Multidimensional Measure of Sexual Orientation,Use of Psychoactive Substances,and Depression: Results of a National Survey on Sexual Behavior in France

Using data from a large national representative survey on sexual behavior in France (Contexte de la Sexualité en France), this study analyzed the relationship between a multidimensional measure of sexual orientation and psychoactive substance use and depression. The survey was conducted in 2006 by telephone with a random sample of the continental French speaking population between the ages of 18 and 69 years. The sample used for this analysis consisted of the 4,400 men and 5,472 women who were sexually active. A sexual orientation measure was constructed by combining information on three dimensions of sexual orientation: attraction, sexual behavior, and self-definition. Five mutually exclusive groups were defined for men and women: those with only heterosexual behavior were divided in two groups whether or not they declared any same-sex attraction; those with any same-sex partners were divided into three categories derived from their self-definition (heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual). The consumption of alcohol and cannabis, which was higher in the non-exclusively heterosexual groups, was more closely associated with homosexual self-identification for women than for men. Self-defined bisexuals (both male and female) followed by gay men and lesbians had the highest risk of chronic or recent depression. Self-defined heterosexuals who had same-sex partners or attraction had levels of risk between exclusive heterosexuals and self-identified homosexuals and bisexuals. The use of a multidimensional measure of sexual orientation demonstrated variation in substance use and mental health between non-heterosexual subgroups defined in terms of behavior, attraction, and identity.     

Adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual women: A cross-national replication

British homosexual and heterosexual women were evaluated on the same adjustment inventories used with two similar U.S. groups. The results of both studies were quite parallel, and the findings again supported similarities rather than differences in adjustment between homosexuals and heterosexuals.     

Validity and ethics of penile circumference measures of sexual arousal: A response to McAnulty and Adams

In replying to my review of the validity and ethics of penile circumference responses (PCRs) as measures of sexual arousal McAnulty and Adams misinterpreted the review as claiming penile volume responses (PVRs) were superior to PCRs in assessing rapists and child molesters. No such claim was made. The lack of validity of PCR assessment of individual rapists and child molesters was emphasized because PCR but not PVR assessment is used in the treatment and legal evaluation of these subjects. PVRs are more sensitive than PCRs in assessing sexual orientation. Individual heterosexuals and homosexuals can be identified by their PVRs, but not their PCRs to pictures of nude men and women. Their identification by PCRs, requires use of the more powerful erotic stimuli of explicit homosexual and heterosexual activity. PVRs to pictures of nude men and women can also distinguish subjects according to their reported ratio of homosexual to heterosexual interest. PCRs to these pictures or to more powerful erotic stimuli cannot. The superior sensitivity of PVRs in assessing sexual orientation is of theoretical significance. Studies reporting that behavioral therapies reduced homosexual arousal relied on changes in PCRs to pictures of single nudes. Failure of PCRs to demonstrate bisexuality of feelings was used to argue such bisexuality did not exist. McAnulty and Adams claimed that consistent findings have emerged from PCR assessment of pedophiles. This is not substantiated by the references cited. McAnulty and Adams did not challenge the conclusion of my review that individual pedophiles and rapists cannot be identified from their PCRs. They nevertheless maintained that their individual PCR assessments should be used in the legal evaluation of these subjects.     

Sexual Orientation and the Sleep–Wake Cycle: A Preliminary Investigation

The sleep–wake cycle as a function of sexual orientation was investigated. Male and female, heterosexual and homosexual subjects completed a sexual-orientation questionnaire and four sets of recording sheets of activities for a 16-day period. Mean sleep duration was calculated from the record sheets using waking-up and going-to-sleep times. It was predicted that homosexual males and females would awake earlier, go to sleep later, and thus have shorter sleep duration compared to heterosexuals. This was supported by the results. Although a sexual orientation by sex interaction just failed to reach significance, additional analyses of the results indicated that differences in sleep duration between heterosexuals and homosexuals were markedly related to sex. The possibility that these results reflect dimorphic features of the human supra-chiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is discussed.     

The male homosexual client

Because homosexuals are becoming more visible to society, nurses need to deal with their feelings about caring for the homosexual client. The author details her experience with 2 homosexual clients in a psychiatric facility and also presents an overview of the homosexual person—psychodevelopment, psychodynamics, family relationships, and health care.