Research by Prof. Hahm Featured in Editor’s Choice Collection, LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Asian American sexual-minority women are often overlooked in both LGBTQ+ and Asian American health studies, leading to a gap in understanding their unique needs. To help address this issue, Prof. Hyeouk Chris Hahm from BU School of Social Work led a study exploring mental health care access and unmet health care needs among Asian American lesbian and bisexual women. The study was featured in Psychiatric Service’s February Editor’s Choice collection, “LGBTQ+ Mental Health.” Her research found that lesbian and bisexual Asian American women were nearly twice as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to have accessed mental health care in the past year. Additionally, one in three sexual-minority women reported an unmet need for medical care. These findings suggest that confidentiality is a critical factor for sexual-minority individuals seeking care, as young people from these groups often turn to mental health services in environments that prioritize privacy and sensitivity.
The Editor’s Choice collection highlights research on the persistent mental health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ people. By including Hahm’s study, the editors spotlight the unique challenges of intersectionality, where sexual orientation and racial identity can compound mental health disparities. This recognition reinforces the importance of continued research and advocacy to improve health care access and outcomes for queer communities.
Learn More About Prof. Hahm’s Research
“Use of Mental Health Care and Unmet Needs for Health Care Among Lesbian and Bisexual Chinese-, Korean-, and Vietnamese-American Women” was co-written by Jieha Lee, PhD from Soongsil University School of Social Welfare; Christine Chiao, MPH from BU Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine; Anne Valentine, MPH from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University; and Benjamin Lê Cook, PhD from Harvard Medical School.