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Vadhanavikkit P, Srifuengfung M, Wiwattarangkul T, Wiwattanaworaset P, Oon-Arom A, Chiddaycha M, Piyavhatkul N, Wainipitapong S. Prevalence of Depression and Generalized Anxiety Among LGBTQ+ Medical Students in Thailand. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024:1-21. [PMID: 39230396 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2389905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluated the prevalence and associated factors of depression and generalized anxiety among LGBTQ+ in five medical schools in Thailand. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), respectively, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify associated factors. Of 1,322 students, 412 (31.16%) identified as LGBTQ+. The prevalence for MDD and GAD among LGBTQ+ students were 32.77% and 17.23%, respectively. Significant associated factors for both MDD and GAD were a history of psychiatric illness (AOR for MDD = 2.32, p = .020; AOR for GAD = 3.67, p < .001), educational problems (AOR for MDD = 6.62, p < .001; AOR for GAD = 5.12, p < .001), and dissatisfaction with gender identity or sexual orientation (AOR for MDD = 1.92, p = .019; AOR for GAD = 2.47, p = .005). Additional factors associated with MDD were preclinical years (AOR = 2.30, p = .023), financial struggles (AOR = 2.05, p = .021), and inadequate peer support (AOR = 2.57, p = .044). In conclusion, nearly one-third and one-fifth of Thai LGBTQ+ medical students suffer from MDD and GAD, respectively. Our findings suggest that Thai medical schools should promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity to enhance students' identity satisfaction. Peer support groups should be encouraged, especially for preclinical LGBTQ+ students who face educational and financial challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papan Vadhanavikkit
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Maytinee Srifuengfung
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teeravut Wiwattarangkul
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Awirut Oon-Arom
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Mayteewat Chiddaycha
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nawanant Piyavhatkul
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sorawit Wainipitapong
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Transgender Health, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, UK
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Wang PW, Chang YP, Tsai CS, Yen CF. Predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among lesbian, gay and bisexual young adult individuals experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic: A four-year follow-up study. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00138-4. [PMID: 38423925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Depressive and anxiety symptoms were common among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This 4-year follow-up study was conducted to investigate the predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Taiwan's young adult LGB population. METHODS Baseline data, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, demographic characteristics, sexual stigma, self-identity confusion, and family support were collected from 1000 LGB individuals. The participants' depressive and anxiety symptoms were reassessed 4 years after the baseline measurements. The predictive effects of the baseline factors on depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow-up were examined through linear regression analysis. RESULTS Greater lack of identity, unconsolidated identity, sexual orientation microaggression, and lower perceived family function at baseline were significantly associated with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow-up. After adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms, being men, greater lack of identity, lower perceived family function, and more severe anxiety symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms at follow-up. After adjustment for baseline anxiety symptoms, greater unconsolidated identity and more severe depressive symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with more severe anxiety symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Intervention aimed at reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in LGB individuals should be developed considering the predictors identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Wei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Chang
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ching-Shu Tsai
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
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Huang MF, Chang YP, Chou WJ, Yen CF. A 4-year prospective investigation of predictive effects of prepandemic sexual stigma, affective symptoms, and family support on fear of COVID-19 among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1297042. [PMID: 38259737 PMCID: PMC10800656 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1297042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim This prospective study examined whether prepandemic sexual stigma, affective symptoms, and family support can predict fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Methods Data of 1,000 LGB individual on prepandemic sociodemographic characteristics, sexual stigma (familial sexual stigma [FSS] measured by the Homosexuality-Related Stigma Scale, internalized sexual stigma [ISS] measured by the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men, and sexual orientation microaggression [SOM] measured by the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory), affective symptoms (i.e., depression measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and anxiety measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State version), and family support measured by the Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve Index were collected. Four years later, the fear of COVID-19 was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the associations of prepandemic sexual stigma, affective symptoms, and perceived family support on fear of COVID-19 4 years later were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. Results In total, 670 (67.3%) participants agreed and completed the follow-up assessment. Greater prepandemic FSS, ISS, SOM, affective symptoms, and perceived family support were significantly associated with a greater fear of COVID-19 at follow-up. Conclusion The identified predictors should be considered when designing interventions aimed at preventing and reducing the fear of COVID-19 in LGB individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Feng Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Chang
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wen-Jiun Chou
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Huang MF, Chang YP, Chou WJ, Yen CF. Predictors of problematic smartphone use among young adult lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a four-year follow-up study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:905. [PMID: 38053156 PMCID: PMC10696814 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05326-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This 4-year follow-up study was conducted to evaluate the predictive effects of prepandemic individual and environmental factors on problematic smartphone use (PSU) among young adult lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data on prepandemic PSU, demographics, sexual stigma (e.g., perceived sexual stigma from family members, internalized sexual stigma, and sexual microaggression), self-identity confusion (e.g., disturbed identity, unconsolidated identity, and lack of identity), anxiety, depression, and family support were collected from 1,000 LGB individuals between August 2018 and June 2019. The participants' PSU was surveyed again after 4 years (between August 2022 and June 2023). The associations of prepandemic individual and environmental factors with PSU at follow-up were analyzed through linear regression. RESULTS In total, 673 (67.3%) participants completed the follow-up assessment. The severity of PSU significantly decreased after 4 years (p = .001). Before the incorporation of PSU at baseline into the analysis model, the results of the model revealed that high levels depressive symptoms (p < .001), disturbed identity (p < .001), and perceived sexual stigma from family members (p = .025) at baseline were significantly associated with PSU at follow-up. After the incorporation of PSU at baseline into the analysis model, the results of the model revealed that high levels PSU (p < .001) and depressive symptoms (p = .002) at baseline were significantly associated with PSU at follow-up. CONCLUSION Interventions aimed at reducing the severity of PSU among LGB individuals should be designed considering the predictors identified in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Feng Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Chang
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wen-Jiun Chou
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, 32 Dapi Rd. Niaosong Dist, Kaohsiung, 83341, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, and School of Medicine College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan.
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Lin YJ, Chang YP, Yen CF. Predicting the Influences of Depression and Sexual Stigma on Motivation to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young Adults: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1430. [PMID: 37766107 PMCID: PMC10536742 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure against COVID-19. However, limited research has focused on identifying the factors predicting motivation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (MoVAC-19) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. This study examined the predictive effects of depression and sexual stigma (i.e., perceived sexual stigma from family members, perceived sexual orientation microaggression, and internalized sexual stigma) before the COVID-19 pandemic on MoVAC-19 among LGB individuals 4 years later during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Baseline data related to depression and sexual stigma were collected in 2018 and 2019. Depression was assessed using the 20-item Mandarin Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Perceived sexual stigma from family members was assessed using the Homosexuality-Related Stigma Scale. Internalized sexual stigma was assessed using the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men. Perceived sexual orientation microaggression was assessed using the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory. Participant MoVAC-19 during the pandemic was assessed using the nine-item Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale. The associations of depression and sexual stigma at baseline with MoVAC-19 at follow-up were examined through multivariate linear regression analysis. Internalized sexual stigma was negatively associated with MoVAC-19, whereas perceived sexual orientation microaggression was positively associated with MoVAC-19. Depression and perceived sexual stigma from family members were not significantly associated with MoVAC-19. Although male sex and older age were positively associated with increased MoVAC-19, sex and age did not moderate the relationship between sexual stigma and motivation to get vaccinated. Among LGB individuals, sexual stigma experiences should be considered when developing intervention strategies aimed at enhancing MoVAC-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ju Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ping Chang
- School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, New York, NY 14214-8013, USA
| | - Cheng-Fang Yen
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
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