著者

日高 庸晴

出版者

神戸女学院大学

雑誌

女性学評論 (ISSN:09136630)

巻号頁・発行日

no.21, pp.49-66[含 英文要旨], 2007-03

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Quantitative research methods are an effective tool in investigating the social context of health issues. In particular, some methods, such as internet sampling, can be used to reach hard to reach populations which are hidden in more general populations. Quantitative research in the U.S., which have investigated the relationship of demographic, psychosocial, and biological variables on health and health related behaviors, have incorporated sexual orientation into survey investigations. There is a large body of research that aims to clarify the relationship between sexual orientation on social, psychological, and other health issues. Since the mid-1980s, a number of large scale U.S. health studies have targeted sexual minorities such as gay, bisexual, and transgender populations through community based samples, large scale internet sample and nation wide studies using representative sampling. The results indicate high prevalence of suicide attempts, high levels of psychosocial distress including anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self esteem and HIV risk behaviors. Due to the fact that Japanese epidemiological health surveys do not include sexual orientation in survey scales, to date there have been few studies conducted into the health status and behaviors of sexual minorities in Japan. There is great need to investigating the situation regarding these previously ignored populations in order to develop and implement medical and social prevention and support interventions. This paper aims to review the body of data in this field, including large scale epidemiological studies, in order to discuss the health and psychological status and needs of sexual minority populations in Japan.