A study published in Social Science & Medicine reveals that sexual minority individuals face higher risks of mental health issues, including depression and suicidality, linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Analyzing data from 19,421 participants aged 16 and older in Sweden, the research found that all sexual minority groups—bisexual women, lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual men—were more likely than heterosexuals to experience at least one ACE. Bisexual women had the highest odds (adjusted odds ratio of 2.96), followed by lesbian women (2.19), gay men (1.97), and bisexual men (1.60). The study identified increased rates of bullying, domestic violence, adverse neighborhood conditions, and physical neglect among sexual minorities. ACEs were found to mediate the relationship between sexual minority identity and mental health issues, explaining 13-41% of the increased risk across various outcomes. Additionally, gender non-conformity was shown to partially account for disparities in experiences of bullying and emotional abuse. The findings suggest that higher exposure to ACEs may contribute significantly to the mental health challenges faced by sexual minority individuals, particularly bisexual women.