Open AccessLGBTQ Identity-Related Victimization During COVID-19 Is Associated with Moderate to Severe Psychological Distress Among Young Adults
Author(s) -
John P. Salerno,
Bradley O. Boekeloo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
lgbt health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.416
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2325-8306
pISSN - 2325-8292
DOI - 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0280
Subject(s) - mental health , clinical psychology , psychology , sexual orientation , transgender , anxiety , lesbian , sexual identity , distress , minority stress , young adult , depression (economics) , logistic regression , sexual minority , medicine , psychiatry , developmental psychology , social psychology , human sexuality , gender studies , sociology , economics , psychoanalysis , macroeconomics
Purpose: Existing evidence indicates significant threats against the mental health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including elevated rates of substance use, anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the mechanistic identity-related factors that may influence the mental health needs of SGM young adults in the time of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the impact of increases in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) identity-related victimization since the start of COVID-19 on psychological distress among SGM college students. Methods: A nonprobability, cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and August 2020 to explore the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. SGM college students ( N = 565). Previously validated scales were used to measure LGBTQ identity-related victimization and psychological distress. Chi-square tests of independence, independent samples T -tests, and adjusted logistic regression were used to examine the study aim. Results: Adjusted logistic regression findings revealed that reporting past year+more frequent LGBTQ identity-related victimization since the start of COVID-19 (compared to no report) was associated with over four times greater odds of experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of research, practice, and policy stakeholders toward addressing the unique identity-related mental health needs and victimization experiences of SGM college students. Mental health, social service, and higher education practitioners have an important opportunity and responsibility toward identifying and intervening on SGM college students and young adults facing identity-related victimization amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.