Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Italian LGBT+ Young Adults’ Mental Health: The Role of Neuroticism and Family Climate

Marina Miscioscia (), Mikael Poli, Alessio Gubello, Alessandra Simonelli, Michela Gatta, Jorge Gato and Paola Rigo
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Marina Miscioscia: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Mikael Poli: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Alessio Gubello: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Alessandra Simonelli: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Michela Gatta: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
Jorge Gato: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences and Center for Psychology, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Paola Rigo: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Vulnerable populations have been among the most affected by the social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; among those, young people and sexual and gender minorities have seen their situation exacerbated by new specific regulations. The aim of the present study was twofold: first, to assess the role of family climate, concerning participants’ LGBT+ status during lockdown restrictions, in mediating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personal quality of life and mental health (stress, depression, and anxiety); second, to assess how individual stable traits can moderate the relationship between the individual impact of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes. A total of 407 young adults aged 18 to 35 (M age = 25.03 years; SD = 4.68) who self-identified as being part of a sexual or gender minority took part in this study. Results highlight the association between negative family climate and internalizing symptoms of psychological distress, and its role as a partial mediator of the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the individual level and mental health outcomes. Additionally, low personality trait levels of neuroticism significantly decreased the strength of the relationship between LGBT+ status during blocking restrictions and internalizing symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; LGBT+ mental health; psychological well-being; young adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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