California Quality of Life Survey (CalQOL)
The BRITE Center currently has researchers in the field for the third wave of data collection for the California Quality of Life Survey. The survey is attempting to collect population-based data from approximately 3,000 Californians in order to assess mental health morbidity; experiences with hate crimes and victimization; everyday experiences with discrimination; and levels of social support and involvement. In addition to identifying racial/ethnic diversity in the data set the Center also oversampled the vulnerable population of sexual minorities to form the largest-to-date population-based survey on mental health issues in this population where there is a co-occurring heterosexual comparison group.
Key findings from the survey include:
- Service planning and public policy experts interested in cost of care should take into consideration the effects of environmental and life stressors, including experiences of discrimination, violence, and hate crimes, in incurring mental health costs not only to the individual but to society
- A better understanding of the factors that lead sexual minorities, and especially gay women, to seek treatment may generate knowledge that can be used to improve delivery of treatment to those who would benefit from it or who currently do not take advantage of mental health resources.
Related Links
Physical Health Complaints Among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexual and Homosexually Experienced Heterosexual Individuals: Results from the California Quality of Life Survey (American Journal of Public Health)
Influence of gender, sexual orientation, and need on treatment utilization for substance use and mental disorders: Findings from the California Quality of Life Survey (BMC Psychiatry)
Burden of psychiatric morbidity among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in the California Quality of Life Survey (Journal of Abnormal Psychology)
