Holiday Stress Levels Higher for Lesbians Than Straight Women

Lesbians tend to
be more stressed and depressed during the holidays than
straight women, according to a survey conducted by market
research firm Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs
Communications.

The survey found
that 80% of lesbian adults felt more stress around the
holidays, compared with 64% of heterosexual women. And while
51% of lesbians said they tend to feel more depressed
around the holidays, only 36% of straight women did.

“Estrangement from family, marginalization within and
isolation from society, separation from children
(sometimes due to custody battles), and inadequate
access to culturally sensitive health care practitioners are
all factors that can adversely affect mood during a season
so identified with family activities and
belonging,“ Linda Spooner, a Washington, D.C.,
physician, said in a press release.

Smoking is also a
greater problem for lesbians, according to the survey.
Twenty-five percent of lesbians said they smoked, compared
with 19% of heterosexual women. Half of the straight
women polled said they would try to quit smoking in
the next year, while only 23% of lesbians said they
would try to stop. (The Advocate)