Improving Acceptance, Integration, and Health Among LGBT Service Members
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are more likely to suffer from a range of health problems compared to their heterosexual peers. For example, in the general population, LGBT people have higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and substance abuse than heterosexual people. However, almost nothing is known about the health and well-being of LGBT people in the military. Until the repeal of "Don t Ask, Don t Tell" (DADT), LGB Service members could not "come out of the closet" and if they did, could face discharge from military service. Although DADT has been repealed, many LGBT military personnel may still be afraid to "come out" to their military peers because they fear rejection from military unit leaders and other members of their social networks. Understanding the health and mental health needs of LGBT Service members is important to the Department of Defense (DoD) because it can help the military develop programs that will help improve individual health and mental health among LGBT Service members. In addition, through improved unit cohesion, understanding the needs of LGBT Service members may enhance the performance of the military overall. There are a several potential clinical applications for the proposed research. For example, this project will help to identify social networks that are supportive of LGBT Service members. This information may help programs and policies that work to increase peer support within LGBT Service members networks. The proposed research will take place over the course of 2 years. In the first year, qualitative interviews with LGBT Service members from each of the four military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) will be conducted to understand the unique stress experiences of these individuals (n=60). In the second year, an anonymous quantitative survey will be conducted online to LGBT Service members (n=240) and heterosexual peers (n=240). All procedures during the 2-year project will be guided by an expert advisory panel of LGBT researchers and military leaders. At the conclusion of the project, the researchers and expert advisory panel will develop a set of recommendations for the DoD that can improve the health and well-being of LGBT Service members. This study has the potential to advance the field of psychological health research and patient care in a number of ways. First, the study will document stressors experienced by LGBT military personnel through the use of a LGBT Military Experience Checklist. This checklist, while developed for research purposes, may be a useful tool in clinical settings as well. Second, by documenting the factors associated with negative health and mental health among LGBT Service members, the DoD can begin to develop programs to improve health and well-being among LGBT Service members in patient care settings. Finally, because this project will be the first to document experiences of LGBT Service members, this research will lay the groundwork for a number of future psychological health research studies in military settings. The proposed project will benefit LGBT Service members, Veterans, and their family members by helping the DoD make the U.S. military a more welcoming environment for LGBT people. In addition, the proposed project has the potential to make the military more effective through improved unit cohesion and positive leadership that is sensitive to the needs of LGBT Service members, Veterans, and their families.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2016
- Source ID
- W81XWH1510700
Entities
People
- Ian W Holloway
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of California, Los Angeles