Objectives: This study compared factors known or hypothesized to influence depressive symptomatology in a community sample of lesbians and heterosexual women.
Methods: Data were collected in a multisite survey of lesbians' physical and mental health.
Results: Findings confirmed earlier reports suggesting that traumatic life events such as physical and sexual abuse, and individual traits and coping styles are risk factors for depressive distress. However, findings of higher rates of suicidal behavior and of several risk factors for depressive distress among lesbians suggest that risk for depression may differ among lesbians and heterosexual women.
Conclusions: Sexual orientation may represent an important but poorly understood risk factor for depressive distress as well as suicidal ideation and behavior.