Health and life satisfaction among 16 year old Icelandic students by sexual orientation: From 2006 to 2018

Abstract

In 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, a large percentage of Icelandic adolescents aged 16 years (class 10 at school) responded to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey or 43.8%, 78.6%, 80.1%, and 50.4%, respectively. The surveys included questions covering topics such as health, sexual orientation, liking school, life satisfaction, and bullying. Objective(s): The main objective was to examine changes to various health and social indicators over time by sexual orientation. Method: Various health and social indicators from the different surveys were examined such as liking school, life satisfaction, bullying, general health, drug use, and support from family and friends. Results: Changes over time show that the situation for LGB adolescents, as compared with heterosexual adolescents, was generally worse in 2010 than in 2006. However, it has improved from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2014 to 2018. With the 2018 levels generally being much better than in 2006. Conclusions: Life for LGB adolescents in Iceland appears to be improving over time across various health and social indicators.