eprintid: 4752
rev_number: 4
eprint_status: archive
userid: 1
dir: disk0/00/00/47/52
datestamp: 2024-09-04 11:50:16
lastmod: 2024-09-04 11:50:16
status_changed: 2024-09-04 11:50:16
type: thesis
metadata_visibility: show
sword_depositor: 1
creators_name: Schuler, Isabell
creators_id: S5749697
creators_email: isabell.schuler@gmx.net
title: Marriage and the Mental Health of Sexual Orientation Minorities
ispublished: unpub
full_text_status: public
abstract: Previous research shows a generally positive association between marriage and mental health in different-sex couples, with married individuals exhibiting better mental health than their unmarried counterparts. However, limited knowledge exists on how marriage affects the mental health of sexual minority individuals. Given that sexual minorities experience worse mental health than heterosexuals, it is crucial to explore whether marriage can help mitigate these disparities. This thesis examines the effect of marriage on the mental health of sexual minority individuals (lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons) compared to heterosexuals before, during, and after marriage in the United Kingdom. Using data from waves 1 to 13 of the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study, 20,715 participants (1,295 sexual minority and 19,420 heterosexual individuals) were analyzed through fixed-effect regression models to assess mental health changes across different marital phases by sexual orientation. Results reveal that marriage has a long-term positive effect on mental health for both sexual minority individuals and heterosexuals. Contrary to expectations, sexual minority individuals experience greater mental health gains from marriage than heterosexuals across all marital phases, though these effects were neither statistically significant nor robust. Despite the mental health benefits, disparities between sexual minorities and heterosexuals persist. While marriage can improve the mental health of sexual minorities, it alone is insufficient to overcome broader discrimination and minority stress. Reducing these ongoing disparities requires societal tolerance beyond institutional equality, alongside further research and data collection efforts to accurately understand and address marriage effects and mental health needs of sexual minorities.
date: 2024
pages: 102
thesis_type: master
degree_programme: POPST
tutors_name: Vogt, T.C.
tutors_organization: Fac. Ruimtelijke wetenschappen, Basiseenheid Demografie
tutors_email: T.C.Vogt@rug.nl
security: public
keywords_local: marriage
keywords_local: mental health
keywords_local: sexual minority individuals (LGB)
keywords_local: longitudinal research
keywords_local: same-sex marriage
keywords_local: United Kingdom
language_iso: en
date_issued: 2024-09-03
citation:   Schuler, Isabell  (2024) Marriage and the Mental Health of Sexual Orientation Minorities.  Master thesis.   
document_url: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4752/1/Master-ThesisIsabell-SchulerRUG.pdf