Comparing the rates of early childhood victimization across sexual orientations: Heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual.
Abstract
Few studies have examined the rates of childhood victimization among individuals who
identify as “mostly heterosexual” (MH) in comparison to other sexual orientation groups. For
the present study, we utilized a more comprehensive assessment of adverse childhood
experiences to extend prior literature by examining if MH individuals’ experience of victimization
more closely mirrors that of sexual minority individuals or heterosexuals. Heterosexual
(n = 422) and LGB (n = 561) and MH (n = 120) participants were recruited online.
Respondents completed surveys about their adverse childhood experiences, both maltreatment
by adults (e.g., childhood physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and childhood household
dysfunction) and peer victimization (i.e., verbal and physical bullying). Specifically, MH
individuals were 1.47 times more likely than heterosexuals to report childhood victimization
experiences perpetrated by adults. These elevated rates were similar to LGB individuals.
Results suggest that rates of victimization of MH groups are more similar to the rates found
among LGBs, and are significantly higher than heterosexual groups. Our results support
prior research that indicates that an MH identity falls within the umbrella of a sexual minority,
yet little is known about unique challenges that this group may face in comparison to other
sexual minority groups.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
childhood victimization, sexual identification, rates
Citation
Zou, C., & Andersen, J. P. (2015). Comparing the rates of early childhood victimization across sexual orientations: heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual. PLoS one, 10(10), e0139198.