brown-improvingalcoholand-2018.pdf (199.78 kB)
Improving alcohol and mental health treatment for lesbian, bisexual and queer women: identity matters
journal contribution
posted on 2018-02-01, 00:00 authored by A Pennay, R McNair, T L Hughes, W Leonard, Rhonda BrownRhonda Brown, D I LubmanOBJECTIVE: Lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women experience substantial unmet alcohol and mental health treatment needs. This paper explores the way in which sexual identity shapes experience, and needs, in relation to alcohol and mental health treatment, and presents key messages for improving treatment. METHODS: Twenty-five in-depth interviews were undertaken with same-sex attracted Australian women, aged 19-71. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Key messages offered by participants focused on language, disclosure and practitioner training. Variation in sexual identity did not alter treatment expectations or needs; however, we noted an important difference with respect to identity salience, with high LBQ identity salience linked with preference for disclosure and acknowledgement of sexual identity in treatment interactions, and low identity salience linked with a preference not to disclose and for sexual identity not to require acknowledgement in treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment providers may find it useful to gather information about the centrality of sexual identity to LBQ women as a means of overcoming treatment barriers related to heteronormative conventions and discrimination, language and disclosure. Implications for public health: Treatment providers should adopt more inclusive language, seek information about identity salience and the importance of sexual identity to the current treatment, and regularly pursue LBQ-related professional development upskilling.
History
Journal
Australian and New Zealand journal of public healthVolume
42Issue
1Pagination
35 - 42Publisher
WileyLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
1326-0200eISSN
1753-6405Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2017, The AuthorsUsage metrics
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