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O. Sabuncuoglu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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towards a further understanding of prenatal thyroid theory of homosexuality autoimmune thyroiditis polycystic ovary syndrome autism and low birth weight
Mental Illness, 2017Co-Authors: O. SabuncuogluAbstract:Research into the neurobiological origins of Same-Sex Attraction is inconclusive. A recent theory of homosexuality posited that maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is associated with an increased rate of homosexual orientation in offspring. Relevant studies from the prenatal thyroid model perspective were reviewed, the major findings of which are as follows: i) An increased prevalence of Hashimoto’s disease in lesbian women suggests a maternal and even familial presence of the same autoimmune thyroid disease. Female-tomale transsexuals and lesbian women were also reported to have higher rates of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Over the last several years, reports suggesting a strong link between PCOS and thyroid autoimmunity have accumulated. ii) The increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring of mothers with thyroid autoimmunity in pregnancy and the association between ASD and gender dysphoria indicate a link between maternal thyroid dysfunction and gender dysphoria/Same-Sex Attraction in the offspring. iii) The high risk of miscarriage and retarded fetal growth in pregnancies of mothers who give birth to homosexual offspring can be explained by the impact of maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. This perspective review highlights relevant research findings and integrates them into the prenatal thyroid model of homosexuality. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the generation of Same-Sex orientation will contribute to the betterment of individual lives, as well as of society.
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High rates of Same-Sex Attraction/gender nonconformity in the offspring of mothers with thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy: proposal of prenatal thyroid model
Mental Illness, 2015Co-Authors: O. SabuncuogluAbstract:Both youngsters and adults with Same-Sex Attraction are at greater risk for negative health outcomes. Despite mounting efforts to determine the biological background, a satisfactory conclusion has not been reached and there is a need to explore alternate factors like functioning of thyroid system during pregnancy. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 790 eligible children and adolescents who had been admitted to child psychiatry between 2005 and 2013. This population consisted of 520 (65%) males and 270 (35%) females, aged 8 to 17 years. Fifteen mothers (1.8%) were found to have a history of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. Sixteen youngsters (2%) had a history of Same-Sex Attraction. Twelve overlapping cases with both Same-Sex Attraction and maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy were identified, which was extremely significant (P<0.0001, by Fisher's exact test). The association was also significant for each sex (P<0.0001, by Fisher's exact test). There is evidence that thyroid gland plays a crucial and decisive role in determining sexual orientation in people. Maternal thyroid dysfunctions during pregnancy may result in homosexual orientation in the off-spring.
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High rates of Same-Sex Attraction/gender nonconformity in the offspring of mothers with thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy: proposal of prenatal thyroid model
Mental illness, 2015Co-Authors: O. SabuncuogluAbstract:Both youngsters and adults with Same-Sex Attraction are at greater risk for negative health outcomes. Despite mounting efforts to determine the biological background, a satisfactory conclusion has not been reached and there is a need to explore alternate factors like functioning of thyroid system during pregnancy. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 790 eligible children and adolescents who had been admitted to child psychiatry between 2005 and 2013. This population consisted of 520 (65%) males and 270 (35%) females, aged 8 to 17 years. Fifteen mothers (1.8%) were found to have a history of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. Sixteen youngsters (2%) had a history of Same-Sex Attraction. Twelve overlapping cases with both Same-Sex Attraction and maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy were identified, which was extremely significant (P
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Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction During Pregnancy May Lead to Same-Sex Attraction/gender Nonconformity in the Offspring: Proposal of Prenatal Thyroid Model
European Psychiatry, 2015Co-Authors: O. SabuncuogluAbstract:Introduction Both youngsters and adults with Same-Sex Attraction are at greater risk for negative health outcomes. It is argued that early biological events generated by genes and prenatal sex hormones determine an individual's sexual orientation. However, despite mounting efforts, a satisfactory conclusion has not been reached and there is a need to explore alternate factors like functioning of thyroid system during pregnancy. Aim This study was conducted to explore the relationship between maternal thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and Same-Sex Attraction/gender nonconformity in the offspring. Method A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 790 eligible children and adolescents who had been admitted to child psychiatry between 2005 and 2013. This population consisted of 520 (65%) males and 270 (35%) females, aged 8 to17 years. Children who were victims of sexual and physical abuse and who had mental retardation, autism and psychosis were not included. Results Fifteen mothers (1.8%) were found to have a history of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy. Sixteen youngsters (2%) had a history of Same-Sex Attraction/gender nonconformity. Twelve overlapping cases with both Same-Sex Attraction/gender nonconformity and maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy were identified, which was extremely significant (p Conclusion There is evidence that thyroid gland and its hormones play a crucial role in determining sexual orientation in people. Maternal thyroid dysfunctions during pregnancy may result in homosexual orientation in the offspring.
Brett D. Thombs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The association of bullying with suicide ideation and attempt among adolescents with different dimensions of sexual orientation
European Psychiatry, 2016Co-Authors: R. Montoro, K. Igartua, Brett D. ThombsAbstract:Introduction Sexual minority youth are at increased risk for bullying and suicide, but they are heterogeneous in their sexual orientation dimensions (Attraction, behavior and identity). Objective To compare the association of bullying and suicide parameters between (1) heterosexually identified students without Same-Sex Attractions or behaviors (2) heterosexually identified students with Same-Sex Attractions or behaviors and (3) non-heterosexually identified students. Methods The Quebec Youth Risk Behavior Survey was a self-report questionnaire given to 1852 students 14–18 years old. Results The heterosexually identified students without Same-Sex Attraction or behavior, and no bullying, was our reference group. When these students had bullying, the likelihood of suicidal ideation was double, but their likelihood of suicide attempts was the same. For non-heterosexually identified students, those with no bullying were twice as likely, and those with bullying were four times as likely to have suicidal ideation. When these students had no bullying, they were not more likely to have suicide attempts, but they were almost three times as likely when they had bullying. Heterosexually identified students with Same-Sex Attraction or behavior were never more likely on any of the suicide measures. Conclusion This study was the first to show that adolescents with a non-heterosexual identity will have a disproportionately greater likelihood in their suicide parameters when subject to bullying, than heterosexually identified students with or without Same-Sex Attraction or behavior, suggesting that these latter two dimensions were non-contributory to suicide risk. The significance of identity as a predictor of suicidal ideation and behavior will be discussed.
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Suicidal Ideation and Attempt among Adolescents Reporting "Unsure" Sexual Identity or Heterosexual Identity Plus Same-Sex Attraction or Behavior: Forgotten Groups?.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2010Co-Authors: Yue Zhao, Richard Montoro, Karine J. Igartua, Brett D. ThombsAbstract:Objective To compare risk of suicide ideation and attempts in adolescents with 1) gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) identity, 2) "unsure" identity, or 3) heterosexual identity with Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior, to heterosexual identity without Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior. Method A total of 1,856 students 14 years of age and older from 14 public and private high schools in Montreal, Quebec, were surveyed anonymously. The survey included items assessing sexual orientation, health risk behaviors, and suicidal ideation and attempts. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts. Results In all, 58 (3.1%) adolescents self-identified as GLB, 59 (3.2%) as unsure, and 115 (6.2%) as heterosexual with Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior. Compared with heterosexually identified youth without Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior (N = 1,624; 87.5%), in multivariable analyses, 12-month suicidal ideation was significantly higher for both GLB (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22–4.37) and unsure youth (OR = 2.64, 95% CI=1.38–5.08). Twelve-month suicide attempts were significantly elevated for GLB youth (OR = 2.23, 95% CI=1.15–4.35) and high, although not statistically significant, for unsure youth (OR = 1.61, 95% CI=0.77–3.36). Heterosexual identity with Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior was not significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation (OR = 1.26, 95% CI=0.76–2.08) or attempts (OR = 1.03, 95% CI=0.55–1.91) in multivariable analyses. Conclusion Compared with heterosexual youth without Same-Sex Attraction/fantasy or behavior, adolescents with GLB and unsure identities were at greater risk of suicidality. However, youth who reported Same-Sex Attraction or behavior but a heterosexual identity were not at elevated risk.
Theo G M Sandfort - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Depression and anxiety in patients with and without Same-Sex Attraction: differences in clinical expression, lifestyle factors, and vulnerability indicators
Brain and behavior, 2015Co-Authors: Henny M W Bos, Lynn Boschloo, Robert A. Schoevers, Theo G M SandfortAbstract:Background: The aim of this study was to compare clinical expressions (severity and loneliness), lifestyle factors (substance use), and vulnerability indicators (stressful childhood experiences) in patients with any Same-Sex Attraction versus heterosexual patients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorder. Little is known about this, even though it is now well documented that depression and anxiety are more prevalent among persons with Same-Sex Attraction. Method: Data, derived from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), allowed us to compare patients with a Same-Sex (n = 122) and an exclusively opposite-sex (n = 1658) Attraction. Persons with Same-Sex Attraction included persons who were attracted to both sexes. Data were collected by means of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and paper-and pencil questionnaires. Results: Seven percent of the patients reported any Same-Sex orientation. Clinical expression of depression and anxiety did not differ in relation to sexual Attraction. Regarding substance use, Same-Sex attracted women reported more drug use than heterosexual women (drug use: 16.2% vs. 6.6%, P = 0.003). Regarding stressful childhood experiences, men with any Same-Sex Attraction reported more sexual abuse during childhood than men with a heterosexual orientation (20.4% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.005). Conclusions: For women with Same-Sex Attraction substance use (especially illicit drug use) might be a coping mechanism to deal with existing symptoms or with the minority stressors they have to deal with; for Same-Sex attracted men stressful childhood experiences might reflect an aspect of etiology.
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Gender Nonconformity, Homophobic Peer Victimization, and Mental Health: How Same-Sex Attraction and Biological Sex Matter
Journal of sex research, 2015Co-Authors: Gabriël Van Beusekom, Henny M W Bos, Laura Baams, Geertjan Overbeek, Theo G M SandfortAbstract:We assessed whether homophobic name-calling accounts for the relationship between gender nonconformity and mental health (social anxiety and psychological distress) in a sample of 1,026 Dutch adolescents (boys: n = 517) ages 11 to 16 (Mage = 13.4). We also explored whether this hypothesized mediation differs by sexual Attraction and biological sex. Data were collected by means of paper-and-pencil questionnaires at five secondary schools located in urban areas in the Netherlands. Mediation analysis indicated that gender nonconformity was related to both social anxiety and psychological distress partially via homophobic name-calling. Moderated mediation analysis further showed that the mediating role of homophobic name-calling varied according to levels of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) and biological sex. The mediation effects increased in magnitude when levels of SSA increased and were significant only for adolescents with mean and high levels of SSA. The mediation effects were significant for boys and girls in general, although the mediation effects were stronger for boys than for girls. Our findings emphasize the importance of research and school-level interventions to focus on factors that promote acceptance of cross-gender behavior among adolescents.
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Same-Sex Attraction, gender nonconformity, and mental health: The protective role of parental acceptance.
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2015Co-Authors: Gabriël Van Beusekom, Henny M W Bos, Geertjan Overbeek, Theo G M SandfortAbstract:The current study assessed, separately for boys and girls, the moderating effects of mother/father acceptance in the relationship of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) and gender nonconformity (GNC) with psychological distress and social anxiety. Data were collected from 1,121 secondary school students (539 boys and 582 girls; Mage = 16.6) by means of a paper-pencil questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses showed that for boys, father acceptance moderated the associations of GNC with psychological distress and social anxiety. For boys with high levels of father acceptance, GNC was not significantly associated with psychological distress and social anxiety, when compared with boys with low and mean levels of father acceptance. Mother acceptance did moderate the association between SSA and social anxiety for girls. For girls with mean and high levels of mother acceptance, SSA was not associated with social anxiety, when compared with girls who reported low levels of acceptance by their mothers.
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same sex Attraction social relationships psychosocial functioning and school performance in early adolescence
Developmental Psychology, 2008Co-Authors: Henny M W Bos, Theo G M Sandfort, Eddy H De Bruyn, Esther M HakvoortAbstract:The authors examined whether 13- to 15-year-old adolescents who experience feelings of Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) differ from those without such feelings in the quality of relationships with parents, peers, and class mentors and in psychosocial functioning (health status and school performance). The authors also assessed whether differences in psychosocial functioning resulted from differences in the quality of social relationships. Data were collected from 866 Dutch high school students (mean age 13.61 years) by means of a computer-based questionnaire. Of the participants, 74 (8.5%) reported having feelings of SSA. The participants with SSA rated the quality of their relationships with their fathers and their peers lower than did those without SSA. Participants with SSA also had poorer mental health (higher levels of depression and lower levels of self-esteem) and lower school performance. A mediation analysis revealed that differences in psychosocial functioning resulted from differences in the quality of the Same-Sex attracted youths' social relationships, especially with fathers and peers.
Gaëlle Sabben - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Young Africans' representations of the origins of Same-Sex Attraction and implications for sexual and mental health.
Culture health & sexuality, 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle Sabben, Kaitlyn L. Pruitt, Kristi Allen, Trinity Findlay, Rob StephensonAbstract:AbstractSexual minorities are stigmatised in much of sub-Saharan Africa, restricting their access to sexual health services and undermining their mental health. Although public attitudes and social representations inform the experience of sexual stigma, little is known about how young Africans make sense of sexual diversity. We conducted a thematic analysis of 56 texts contributed by young people from 10 countries in response to a prompt in a scriptwriting competition inviting participants to ‘tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex’. We analysed accounts of the origins of Same-Sex Attraction, a prominent theme in the narratives. Two-thirds of the texts provide an explicit or implicit explanation, presenting Same-Sex Attraction as innate (15/38) and/or the consequence of environmental influences (32/38), including parental behaviour, gender separation, trauma, foreign influences and evil spirits. Expressions of the potential to avert or cure Same-Sex Attraction are common. Yo...
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From condemnation to normalisation: Young Africans' narratives about Same-Sex Attraction and implications for communication and advocacy efforts.
Global public health, 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle Sabben, Kaitlyn L. Pruitt, Kristi Allen, Rob Stephenson, Trinity FindlayAbstract:Narrative is a primary tool in human meaning-making and communication. Frequently value-laden, it plays an important role in global public health communication and advocacy efforts. State-endorsed homophobia is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa, severely restricting access to sexual health services and undermining human rights and mental health for sexual minorities. Young Africans' narratives about Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) can both inform message framing and provide a source of creative ideas for communication and advocacy efforts. We conducted an analysis of 56 narratives about SSA submitted by young people aged 13-24 years from 10 African countries to a spring 2013 scriptwriting competition in response to a prompt inviting participants to 'Tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex.' We categorised the narratives across a spectrum of attitudinal perspectives vis-a-vis SSA and identified characteristics of each category, ranging from condemnation (including characterising SSA as satanic), through ambivalence (e.g. 'love the sinner, hate the sin'), to acceptance, activism (including petitioning for Same-Sex marriage), and normalisation. The texts shed light on potential message frames and cultural narratives that can be countered or leveraged in communication efforts to improve the health and human rights of sexual minority Africans.
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Sexual stigma and symbolic violence experienced, enacted, and counteracted in young Africans' writing about Same-Sex Attraction.
Social science & medicine (1982), 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle SabbenAbstract:There is growing recognition of the health disparities faced by sexual minority populations and the critical role played by sexual stigma in increasing their vulnerability. Experienced, anticipated, and internalized, stigma based on sexual orientation reduces access to HIV/STI prevention and treatment services among African men who have sex with men and has been linked to compromised mental health, risk-taking, and HIV status. It is likely that similar processes undermine the health of sexual minority African women and transgender and non-binary people. There is a need for increased understanding of both the contextual factors and the cultural meanings, or symbolic violence, that inform sexual stigma and harmful stigma management strategies in contexts that are culturally and socio-politically oppressive for sexual and gender minorities. Using thematic data analysis and narrative-based methodologies, we analyzed narratives and essays on Same-Sex Attraction contributed by young people aged 13-24 from ten African countries to a Spring 2013 scriptwriting competition on HIV, sexuality, and related themes. Submitted by 27 male and 29 female authors, the texts were written in response to a prompt inviting participants to "Tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex". We analyzed the ways in which sexual stigma and its effects are described, enacted, and counteracted in the texts. The data provide insights into the social and symbolic processes that create and sustain sexual stigma in the context of broader transnational discourses. The data shed light on psychosocial challenges faced by sexual minority youth and identify both rhetoric, stereotypes, and discourse that devalue them and representations that counteract this symbolic violence. We share our findings in the hope they may inform education and communication programming as part of multi-level efforts to improve the health and human rights of sexual minority populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kate Winskell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Young Africans' representations of the origins of Same-Sex Attraction and implications for sexual and mental health.
Culture health & sexuality, 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle Sabben, Kaitlyn L. Pruitt, Kristi Allen, Trinity Findlay, Rob StephensonAbstract:AbstractSexual minorities are stigmatised in much of sub-Saharan Africa, restricting their access to sexual health services and undermining their mental health. Although public attitudes and social representations inform the experience of sexual stigma, little is known about how young Africans make sense of sexual diversity. We conducted a thematic analysis of 56 texts contributed by young people from 10 countries in response to a prompt in a scriptwriting competition inviting participants to ‘tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex’. We analysed accounts of the origins of Same-Sex Attraction, a prominent theme in the narratives. Two-thirds of the texts provide an explicit or implicit explanation, presenting Same-Sex Attraction as innate (15/38) and/or the consequence of environmental influences (32/38), including parental behaviour, gender separation, trauma, foreign influences and evil spirits. Expressions of the potential to avert or cure Same-Sex Attraction are common. Yo...
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From condemnation to normalisation: Young Africans' narratives about Same-Sex Attraction and implications for communication and advocacy efforts.
Global public health, 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle Sabben, Kaitlyn L. Pruitt, Kristi Allen, Rob Stephenson, Trinity FindlayAbstract:Narrative is a primary tool in human meaning-making and communication. Frequently value-laden, it plays an important role in global public health communication and advocacy efforts. State-endorsed homophobia is widespread across much of sub-Saharan Africa, severely restricting access to sexual health services and undermining human rights and mental health for sexual minorities. Young Africans' narratives about Same-Sex Attraction (SSA) can both inform message framing and provide a source of creative ideas for communication and advocacy efforts. We conducted an analysis of 56 narratives about SSA submitted by young people aged 13-24 years from 10 African countries to a spring 2013 scriptwriting competition in response to a prompt inviting participants to 'Tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex.' We categorised the narratives across a spectrum of attitudinal perspectives vis-a-vis SSA and identified characteristics of each category, ranging from condemnation (including characterising SSA as satanic), through ambivalence (e.g. 'love the sinner, hate the sin'), to acceptance, activism (including petitioning for Same-Sex marriage), and normalisation. The texts shed light on potential message frames and cultural narratives that can be countered or leveraged in communication efforts to improve the health and human rights of sexual minority Africans.
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Sexual stigma and symbolic violence experienced, enacted, and counteracted in young Africans' writing about Same-Sex Attraction.
Social science & medicine (1982), 2016Co-Authors: Kate Winskell, Gaëlle SabbenAbstract:There is growing recognition of the health disparities faced by sexual minority populations and the critical role played by sexual stigma in increasing their vulnerability. Experienced, anticipated, and internalized, stigma based on sexual orientation reduces access to HIV/STI prevention and treatment services among African men who have sex with men and has been linked to compromised mental health, risk-taking, and HIV status. It is likely that similar processes undermine the health of sexual minority African women and transgender and non-binary people. There is a need for increased understanding of both the contextual factors and the cultural meanings, or symbolic violence, that inform sexual stigma and harmful stigma management strategies in contexts that are culturally and socio-politically oppressive for sexual and gender minorities. Using thematic data analysis and narrative-based methodologies, we analyzed narratives and essays on Same-Sex Attraction contributed by young people aged 13-24 from ten African countries to a Spring 2013 scriptwriting competition on HIV, sexuality, and related themes. Submitted by 27 male and 29 female authors, the texts were written in response to a prompt inviting participants to "Tell a story about someone who is attracted to people of the same sex". We analyzed the ways in which sexual stigma and its effects are described, enacted, and counteracted in the texts. The data provide insights into the social and symbolic processes that create and sustain sexual stigma in the context of broader transnational discourses. The data shed light on psychosocial challenges faced by sexual minority youth and identify both rhetoric, stereotypes, and discourse that devalue them and representations that counteract this symbolic violence. We share our findings in the hope they may inform education and communication programming as part of multi-level efforts to improve the health and human rights of sexual minority populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
