Examining the Associations of Family-Related Factors with Hypertension in Sexual Minority Women.

Purpose: We examined the association between family-related factors (i.e., sexual identity disclosure to family and family social support) and hypertension (HTN) among sexual minority women (SMW; i.e., lesbian/gay, bisexual, or another sexual identity).

Methods

We analyzed data from Waves 3 (2010-2012) and 4 (2017-2019) of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study. Using multiple logistic regression, we examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of family-related factors with self-reported HTN (diagnosis of HTN at Wave 3 and newly diagnosed HTN at Wave 4) among SMW. We also explored whether race/ethnicity and sexual identity moderated these associations. Analyses were adjusted for relevant covariates (e.g., age, tobacco use).

Results

Cross-sectional analyses included 651 SMW with a mean age of 40.2 (±13.8) years, 58% of whom identified as Black/African American or Hispanic. Family social support was inversely associated with the diagnosis of HTN (adjusted odds ratio: 0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.75-0.97). Longitudinal analyses included 377 SMW (mean age of 38.8 [±13.0] years) with 51% identifying as Black/African American or Hispanic. Family social support was not associated with newly diagnosed HTN. Neither the cross-sectional nor longitudinal associations between sexual identity disclosure to family and HTN were significant. Neither race/ethnicity nor sexual identity were significant moderators.

Conclusions

Family social support was associated with lower odds of HTN diagnosis among SMW. Families and clinicians should be educated about the protective role of family social support for sexual minority adults. Further research is needed to identify factors that contribute to HTN disparities observed among these populations.