Minority Stress, General Stress, and Family Support: Associations With Mental Health and Quality of Life in LGBTQ+ Young Adults During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

By simultaneously examining minority-related stressors and general stressors experienced by the whole population, the study's aim was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ young adults in Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study explored differences in mental health and quality of life between subgroups of young LGBTQ+ adults. Further, it explored how distal and proximal minority stressors, as well as stress related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and family support were associated with mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and quality of life) using linear regression analyses in a sample of 245 young LGBTQ+ Swedish individuals. The results showed increased mental distress in transgender and nonbinary (TNB) young adults and that minority stress influences health in LGBTQ+ young adults above and beyond the general stress of living through a pandemic. Nevertheless, different predictors were significant for different outcomes. For all outcomes, family support was highlighted as an important protective factor for LGBTQ+ young adults. Findings support the minority stress model and highlight the need for interventions aimed at reducing minority stress as well as tailored support and resources for TNB individuals during times of general high stressor load. This may include support aimed at their close families.