Young adults who became more same-sex oriented were more likely to develop depressive symptoms than those whose sexual orientations remained the same, or changed toward a heterosexual lifestyle.
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) released the results of the study called "Sexual Orientation Identity Change and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Analysis" that found that gay, lesbian and bisexual people who initially identified as heterosexual, or who had not reported same-sex romantic attraction or relationships, were more likely to experience depressive symptoms than others.
Study leader Bethany Everett, who is an assistant professor of sociology at UIC, analyzed the data of 11,200 participants that asked them to identify their sexual identity as "exclusively heterosexual," "bisexual" or "exclusively gay or lesbian." Respondents' ages ranged from 18 to 26 in wave three (interviewed in 2001-02), and 25 to 33 in wave four (2008-09).
Roughly 12 percent of respondents showed a change of sexual orientation during the seven-year period of the study, and 70 percent experienced more of an attraction to those of the same gender, Windy City Times reported.
Throughout the survey period, people who had stable sexual identities - whether lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual - didn't have any negative changes to their emotional well-being. The "mostly heterosexual" individuals did not have an increase in depression, and the "mostly gay or lesbian" individuals actually experienced a decrease in depression.
Those who did not have same-sex tendencies were reportedly less depressed, as well.
Everett stated that despite the increasing acceptance of LGBT people in America, a change in (or loss of) sexual identity may bring along a lot of stress.
"This study highlights the need for social support during periods of sexual identity transition toward same-sex attraction, not just for adolescents, but also for young adults. Supporting people during this time-period may be critical for improving their mental health," Everett said.
In addition to their own inner battles and path to self-discovery, LGBT individuals will experience other challenges and social stresses.
"They are encountering new stigmas and rejections by their friends and family and struggling to find resources," Everett stated.
Everett admitted that more research is needed to further demonstrate the link between evolving sexual identities and depression. Though the findings are "nationally representative," they are community-based.
"It may be that changes to bisexual, gay, or lesbian identities expose young adults to new sources of LGBT-related discrimination."
The study was published on March 31 in the current issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
