"Under House Arrest": Mental Health and Minority Stress Experiences of LGBTQ plus Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in EuropeShow others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: Sexuality Research & Social Policy, ISSN 1868-9884, E-ISSN 1553-6610, Vol. 21, p. 969-984Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
IntroductionIncreased rates of mental health issues among LGBTQ+ people have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among young people.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted in 2021 with 61 young adult LGBTQ+ people residing in France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK. Each interview was summarized on a template covering the participants' experiences of pandemic restrictions, mental health, and minority stress during this period. A thematic analysis was conducted on the templates.ResultsThe pandemic restrictions had a large impact on the participants' lives, leaving them stuck at home. Not having access to the LGBTQ+ community was an additional stress, as this is a venue for support. Half of the participants had suffered from mental health issues during the pandemic. Those who were living in non-affirmative households had a particularly difficult time and experienced overwhelming stress. Increased feelings of gender dysphoria were seen among trans participants due to the lack of access to gender-affirming healthcare. Most participants experienced less distal minority stress than usual due to social isolation restrictions.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social restrictions had a large impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ young adults. Many experience worse mental health, although relief from distal minority stress was common.Policy ImplicationsPolicy makers must consider the needs of LGBTQ+ young adults as they seek to explore and establish their gender and/or sexual identity. During a pandemic, it is particularly important to help young LGBTQ+ people to engage with the LGBTQ+ community.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
SPRINGER , 2024. Vol. 21, p. 969-984
Keywords [en]
Sexual and gender minority; COVID-19; Young adults; Minority stress; Mental health; Social restrictions
National Category
Work Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-200390DOI: 10.1007/s13178-023-00916-xISI: 001124472600002OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-200390DiVA, id: diva2:1830889
Note
Funding Agencies|Linkoping University; Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences [AM 2021-0005]; Dipartimento di Psicologia Generale,Universita degli Studi di Padova [BIRD195080]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [SFRH/PD/BD/143068/2018]; British Academy [BA COV19_201169]
2024-01-242024-01-242024-08-14