Association of Self-Reported Sexual Orientation Fluidity with Health and Behavior of Adults: Analysis of the Research Program on Genes,Environment,and Health Cohort

Abstract

Purpose:

Health disparities by sexual orientation fluidity are relatively unexplored in middle or late adulthood. We assessed differences in self-reported health and health behaviors according to fluidity status.

Methods:

We analyzed baseline (2002–2010) and follow-up (2015–2023) survey data of Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health participants. We classified people based on responses to sexual orientation questions: consistently heterosexual, consistently sexual minority, and fluid (changed reported orientation). We then compared health behavior (smoking, binge drinking, and physical activity) and self-rated health (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and EuroQol EQ-5D-3L) across groups using linear or logistic regression with or without weights for attrition using complete case data and after multiple imputation.

Results:

Of the 32,058 adults (mean age: 56 years, male: 39.6%), 378 (1.2%) were fluid. Compared with consistently heterosexual adults, fluid individuals had significantly worse self-rated health scores after adjustment for demographics and attrition, although most differences were not clinically meaningful. No differences in health behavior were noted in adjusted analyses.

Conclusion:

Sexual orientation fluidity occurs in older adults, and this group may have worse health than their heterosexual counterparts.