Increased adverse health outcomes in sexual minority populations exposed to stressful childhood experiences: a meta-analysis

Stressful childhood experiences (SCEs) are prevalent among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations and contribute to adverse health outcomes in adulthood. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized findings from 64 independent studies published between 2013 and 2022 examining associations between SCEs and adult health outcomes among SGM individuals. Seven outcome domains were identified: psychological health (k = 26), suicide and related behaviors (k = 23), substance use (k = 14), sexual health (k = 13), physical health (k = 5), housing instability (k = 3), and adulthood abuse or victimization (k = 2). Across outcomes, exposure to SCEs was associated with significantly increased odds (31–132%) of adverse health outcomes in adulthood. Because the analyses aggregated outcomes across diverse LGBTQ+ subgroups, additional research is needed to clarify how SCEs uniquely affect distinct sexual and gender minority populations. These findings underscore the importance of assessing SCEs in both research and clinical settings and highlight the need for policies that mitigate their long-term effects on SGM health.