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Physical and Mental Health Related Quality of Life and Their Influencing Factors on Sexual Minority Women in Korea

Author

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  • Ssirai Kim

    (College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
    Department of Healthcare Administration, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea)

  • Smi Choi-Kwon

    (College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
    The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea)

Abstract

Korean sexual minority women (SMW) often experience discrimination, but their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the levels of mental and physical HRQoL of Korean SMW and their influencing factors using data from the Korean Sexual Minority Women’s Health Study (2017) in a cross-sectional study, which included lesbian and bisexual females ( N = 736; age ≥19 years). The HRQoL was measured using SF-36v2 ® ; moreover, separate multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing mental and physical HRQoL. The physical and mental HRQoL scores were average (52.38 ± 7.65) and low (38.33 ± 12.64), respectively. Significant factors influencing the physical HRQoL were bisexuality, minority stress, perceived social support, and physical activity. The same factors—apart from physical activity—were associated with mental HRQoL. Therefore, to improve the HRQoL of SMW, it is necessary to lower their minority stress and increase social support. Moreover, special attention is needed regarding bisexual women in Korea.

Suggested Citation

  • Ssirai Kim & Smi Choi-Kwon, 2021. "Physical and Mental Health Related Quality of Life and Their Influencing Factors on Sexual Minority Women in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2115-:d:503540
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hye Weon Kwak & Min Young Kim & Min Young Kim, 2019. "Severity and Influencing Factors of Homophobia in Korean Nursing Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-8, November.
    2. Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen & Chengshi Shiu & Amanda E. B. Bryan & Jayn Goldsen & Hyun-Jun Kim, 2017. "Health Equity and Aging of Bisexual Older Adults: Pathways of Risk and Resilience," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(3), pages 468-478.
    3. Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I. & Kim, H.-J. & Barkan, S.E. & Balsam, K.F. & Mincer, S.L., 2010. "Disparities in health-related quality of life: A comparison of lesbians and bisexual women," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(11), pages 2255-2261.
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