Psychological Adjustment Profiles of LGBTQ+ Young Adults Residing with Their Parents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Study

Inês Vázquez, Jorge Gato (), Susana Coimbra, Fiona Tasker, Jaime Barrientos, Marina Miscioscia, Elder Cerqueira-Santos, Anna Malmquist, Daniel Seabra, Daniela Leal, Marie Houghton, Mikael Poli, Alessio Gubello, Mozer de Miranda Ramos, Mónica Guzmán-González, Alfonzo Urzúa, Francisco Ulloa and Matilda Wurm
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Inês Vázquez: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Jorge Gato: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Susana Coimbra: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Fiona Tasker: Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
Jaime Barrientos: Faculty of Psychology, University Alberto Hurtado, Santiago 6500620, Chile
Marina Miscioscia: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Elder Cerqueira-Santos: Department of Psychology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49100-000, Brazil
Anna Malmquist: Division of Psychology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
Daniel Seabra: Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), University of Coimbra, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal
Daniela Leal: Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Marie Houghton: Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
Mikael Poli: Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Alessio Gubello: Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Mozer de Miranda Ramos: Department of Psychology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49100-000, Brazil
Mónica Guzmán-González: School of Psychology, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 0610, Chile
Alfonzo Urzúa: School of Psychology, Universidad Católica del Norte, Antofagasta 0610, Chile
Francisco Ulloa: MUMS—Movimiento por la Diversidad Sexual, Santiago 578, Chile
Matilda Wurm: School of Behavioral, Social and Legal Sciences, Örebro University, 702 81 Örebro, Sweden

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with poor mental health symptoms, particularly among vulnerable populations such as LGBTQ+ individuals. In the present study, we aimed to (i) identify different psychological adjustment profiles among LGBTQ+ young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare LGBTQ+ young adults in relation to (ii) sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19-related experiences and (iii) the internal and external protective resources associated with each adjustment profile. An online questionnaire was administered to 1699 LGBTQ+ young adults from six countries (Brazil, Chile, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK). A cluster analysis was conducted, and four profiles of psychological adjustment were identified: unchallenged, resilient, distressed, and at-risk. The at-risk cluster scored lowest in social support (particularly from family). The profiles of participants who experienced the highest levels of pandemic adversity (at-risk and resilient) comprised mostly South American participants, those under lockdown at the time of survey completion, those who self-identified as transgender and non-binary, and those with a plurisexual sexual orientation. Interventions should consider strategies to help young adults maintain support systems and reinforce the value of positive family relationships. Specific groups within the LGBTQ+ community that seem to be in a particularly vulnerable situation may need additional tailored support.

Keywords: resilience; LGBTQ+; COVID-19; adjustment profiles; well-being; person-centered approach; social support (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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