International Journal of Geriatric PsychiatryVolume 18, Issue 8 p. 754-755 Research Letter The psychological health and quality of life of older lesbians and gay men: a snowball sampling pilot survey James P. Warner, Corresponding Author James P. Warner [email protected] Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College, London, UKDepartment of Psychiatry, Imperial College, Paterson Centre, Rm 404, 20 South Wharf Road, London W2 1PD, UK.Search for more papers by this authorLucie Wright, Lucie Wright Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Blanchardx, Martin Blanchardx Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMichael King, Michael King Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this author James P. Warner, Corresponding Author James P. Warner [email protected] Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College, London, UKDepartment of Psychiatry, Imperial College, Paterson Centre, Rm 404, 20 South Wharf Road, London W2 1PD, UK.Search for more papers by this authorLucie Wright, Lucie Wright Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMartin Blanchardx, Martin Blanchardx Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this authorMichael King, Michael King Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UKSearch for more papers by this author First published: 25 July 2003 https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.907Citations: 13AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. REFERENCES Gilbert N. 1993. Researching Social Life. Sage: London; 73–74. Google Scholar Goldberg D, Williams P. 1988. A User's Guide to the General Health Questionnaire. Nfer-Nelson: London. Google Scholar Johnson AM, Mercer CH, Erens B, et al. 2001. Sexual behaviour in Britain: partnerships, practices and HIV risk behaviours. Lancet 358: 1835–1842. 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06883-0 CASPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Wellings K, Field J, Johnson A, Wadsworth J. 1994. Sexual Behaviour in Britain. Penguin Books: London. Google Scholar Citing Literature Volume18, Issue8August 2003Pages 754-755 ReferencesRelatedInformation

BackgroundLittle is known about the mental health of gay men and lesbians living in Europe.AimsTo compare psychological status, quality of life and use of mental health services by lesbians and gay men with heterosexual people.MethodCross-sectional study in England and Wales using ‘snowball’ sampling.ResultsParticipants: 656 gay men, 505 heterosexual men, 430 lesbians and 588 heterosexual women. Gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to score above threshold on the Clinical Interview Schedule, indicating greater levels of psychological distress (RR 1.24, 95% Cl 1.07–1.43), as were lesbians compared with heterosexual women (RR 1.30, 95% Cl 1.11-1.52). Gay men and lesbians were more likely than heterosexuals to have consulted a mental health professional in the past, deliberately harmed themselves and used recreational drugs. Lesbians were more likely to have experienced verbal and physical intimidation and to consume more alcohol than heterosexual women.ConclusionsAwareness of mental health issues for gay men and lesbians should become a standard part of training for mental health professionals, who need to be aware of the potential for substance misuse and self-harm in this group and of the discrimination experienced by many lesbians.

The importance of using verbal communication in the care of critically ill patients has long been known. Both qualitative and quantitative studies have presented evidence of the benefits of effective communication. This non-participant observational study aimed to explore how much and what types of verbal communication critical care nurses use when caring for unconscious or sedated patients. Sixteen critical care nurses were observed in 4-hour episodes and their verbal communication was transcribed and timed at source. Seven categories of verbal communication and a 'core concept' emerged on analysis of the raw data. Medical investigations/interventions performed on the patients increased the amount of communication used. The participants in this study were found to use a greater variety and amount of verbal communication than participants in other studies. The findings of this study highlight the need for formal support systems and continued education for nurses about the benefits of verbal communication.