Adverse Childhood Experiences, Preventive Care Utilization, and Patient–Nurse Trust Relationship Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals
Peijia Zha, Rubab Qureshi, Sallie Porter, Crystal Zhang- General Nursing
Abstract
Background
Individuals who identify as sexual and gender minorities often experience high rates of adverse childhood experiences and encounter discrimination and stigma in their interactions with health care providers, leading to low utilization of health care services. However, the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, preventive care utilization, and trust in nurses among sexual and gender minority individuals remain unclear.
Purpose
This study explored the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and preventive care use and assessed the potential interaction effects of trust in nurses between adverse childhood experiences and preventive care use among individuals from sexual and gender minorities.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 160 self-reported individuals from sexual and gender minorities completed an electronic online survey. Multiple linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the association between adverse childhood experiences, preventive care utilization, and nurse trust.
Results
There was a significant negative relationship between adverse childhood experiences and preventive care utilization. There was also a significant positive relationship between trust and preventive care utilization. The results also indicated that trust in nurses moderated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and preventive care utilization among sexual and gender minority individuals.
Discussion
A significant relationship was found between a high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and low health care service utilization. Strengthening the trust relationship between nurses and sexual and gender minority individuals could serve as a potential intervention point, leading to improved health outcomes for this vulnerable population. Hence, enhancing trust in nurses could be a key factor in increasing health care service utilization and overall health outcomes.