Presenter
Andrea Avila, B.S.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Current literature suggests that asexual individuals have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental poor mental health outcomes compared to allosexuals, regardless of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) identity. However, few studies exist that examine the experiences of asexual individuals. SGM adults were recruited via Reddit to participate in a digital survey hosted on Qualtrics between February-March 2022. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the relationship between anxiety and gender minority status, sex assigned at birth, and being asexual, adjusting demographic variables. In fully adjusted models, gender minorities had significantly increased odds of having anxiety (OR[95% CI] = 1.44 [1.13, 1.84]) compared to individuals who were not gender minorities. Individuals who reported that they were asexual were found to have significantly reduced odds of having anxiety (OR[95% CI] = 0.58 [0.40, 0.84]) compared to individuals with any sexual orientation other than asexual (allosexual). Individuals assigned female at birth were significantly more likely to identify as asexual compared to those assigned male at birth. These novel findings contradict current literature and suggests that individuals who identify as asexual have reduced risk of anxiety. More extensive research is needed to better understand mental health outcomes for asexual individuals.
Faculty Mentor
Kelsey A. Gately, OTD, OTR/L
Academic Discipline
College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Avila, Andrea, "Asexuality and Anxiety" (2025). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 241.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/241
