Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Victoria.
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Aust N Z J Public Health. 2018 Feb;42(1):35-42. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12739. Epub 2017 Dec 13.
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.
Twenty-five in-depth interviews were undertaken with same-sex attracted Australian women, aged 19-71. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically.
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.
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.
女同性恋、双性恋和酷儿 (LBQ) 女性存在大量未满足的酒精和心理健康治疗需求。本文探讨了性身份与酒精和心理健康治疗相关的体验和需求之间的关系，并提出了改善治疗的关键信息。
对 25 名年龄在 19-71 岁之间的澳大利亚同性吸引女性进行了深入访谈。对访谈记录进行了主题分析。
参与者提供的关键信息集中在语言、披露和从业者培训上。性身份的变化并没有改变治疗的期望或需求；然而，我们注意到一个重要的区别，即身份显著性，高 LBQ 身份显著性与在治疗互动中披露和承认性身份的偏好相关，而低身份显著性与不披露和治疗中不要求承认性身份的偏好相关。
治疗提供者可能会发现，收集有关 LBQ 女性性身份重要性的信息可能有助于克服与异性规范和歧视、语言和披露相关的治疗障碍。对公共卫生的影响：治疗提供者应采用更具包容性的语言，寻求有关身份显著性以及性身份对当前治疗重要性的信息，并定期进行与 LBQ 相关的专业发展和技能提升。
