Health life‐styles of lesbian and heterosexual women

Abstract

In this exploratory descriptive study, lesbian and heterosexual women's health life‐style activities and health histories were investigated. Distribution of 200 written questionnaires by nonprobability snowball sampling obtained a sample of 79 heterosexual and lesbian women. The sample was predominantly white, middle class, and college educated. Responses to questions about participation in mental health counseling, birth control use, and pregnancy history showed significant differences between the groups. Likert scale questions were used to identify degree of participation in various health life‐style activities. Alternative diet, use of meditation/ relaxation techniques, and recreational drug use had significantly higher means in the lesbian group. Fulfilling family obligations, regular Pap testing, and use of prescription drugs were significantly higher among the heterosexual group. This study represents the author's initial exploration of lesbian health life‐styles and describes similarities and differences in the health life‐styles of lesbian and heterosexual women.