Depression Severity among a Sample of LGBTQ+ Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Marybec Griffin (), Jessica Jaiswal, Tess Olsson, Jesse Gui, Christopher B. Stults and Perry N. Halkitis
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Marybec Griffin: Department of Health Behavior, Society & Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Jessica Jaiswal: Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Tess Olsson: Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Jesse Gui: Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Christopher B. Stults: Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
Perry N. Halkitis: Department of Health Behavior, Society & Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

Societies, 2023, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Background: The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to immense impacts on global community health, the public perception of healthcare, and attitudes surrounding mental health during widespread quarantine. Methods: This analysis examines the rates of depressive symptomology among a sample of LGBTQ+-identifying individuals in the United States ( n = 1090). The variables examined included socio-demographic factors, the use of mental health medication, access to mental health medication, and experiences of depression symptomology. Results: The findings indicate that depressive symptoms were less severe for older adults, as they reported higher levels of minimal to moderately severe depressive symptoms. Participants who were not working and those who were using substances were less likely to report depressive symptoms. Participants who were employed full-time reported higher levels of depression compared to those who were unemployed. Conclusions: Understanding the mental health of marginalized populations such as the LGBTQ+ community is critical to providing more nuanced preventative healthcare for unique populations, as members of the LGBTQ+ community are non-monolithic and require more personalized approaches to their healthcare needs.

Keywords: COVID-19; LGBTQ+; depression; employment status; substance use; multivariable logistic regression; pandemic impact on mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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