Same-sex marriage bans may affect mental health

lgbt, news 3 Comments »

A new study published in the March edition of American Journal of Public Health finds that gays and lesbians living in states where gay marriage is banned are at greater risk to psychiatric disorders.

Researchers analyzed data from lesbians, gays and bisexuals who were interviewed in 2001-2002 and 2004-2005 for the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The participants lived in states that instituted constitutional amendments banning gay marriage following the 2004-2005 elections.

The researchers found a significant increase in the prevalence of mood disorders, generalized anxiety Researchers analyzed data from lesbians, gays and bisexuals who were interviewed in 2001-2002 and 2004-2005 for the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The participants lived in states that instituted constitutional amendments banning gay marriage following the 2004-2005 elections.

The researchers found a significant increase in the prevalence of mood disorders, generalized anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders among lesbians, gays and bisexuals after the states banned gay marriage. The greatest increase — more than 200 percent — was seen in generalized anxiety disorder.

The study found among gays and lesbians the following outcomes: mood disorders (36.6% increase), generalized anxiety disorder (248.2% increase), any alcohol use disorder (41.9% increase), and psychiatric comorbidity (36.3% increase).


John Stewart spins ChatRoulette

humor, news, technology No Comments »

John Stewart on the Daily Show takes the latest internet craze ChatRoulette, a free service which sets up random video chats between total strangers for a humorous spin.


Rachel Maddow tells Glenn Beck to “Back off!”

environment, politics, video 3 Comments »

maddowbeck-20100306-121011Game on.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OXwOv9MAHcI

Poor Mr. Beck doesn’t stand a chance.


Stop multitasking and watch this video! I said STOP!

education, technology, video No Comments »

MultitaskingNo seriously, it’s worth your time. An episode of Frontline called the Digital Nation aired last night exploring how the internet and related technologies have touched our lives, for the both good and ill. The segment on multitasking in the 8 minute clip below is particularly telling. Not because the conclusions reached aren’t obvious, but because it so succinctly describes the state most of us find ourselves in when we are “connected.” Watch:

The entire episode is 90 minutes definitely worth the time and can be watched at PBS.com.