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

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

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.

An Exploratory Analysis of Contributors to Cognitive Functioning Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Who Had COVID-19

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals face mental health disparities. However, research analyzing SGM people's mental health after a COVID-19 diagnosis is scarce. In this secondary analysis of a remote study, we 1) examined associations between cognitive and psychosocial health and 2) explored differences between these health outcomes among SGM (n = 14) and heterosexual cisgender (n = 64) U.S. adults who had COVID-19. We used the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) v2.0 to assess subjective cognition and the BrainCheck cognitive test to analyze objective cognition. We administered the Perceived Stress Scale and PROMIS 57 Profile V.2.0 to measure psychosocial health. SGM COVID-19 survivors had worse scores in depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, pain, stress, and objective cognition than heterosexual cisgender participants (p-values < .05). Objective cognition was associated with age, SGM classification, racial or ethnic minority classification, income, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, number of symptoms, and pain (|0.137| < r < |0.373|, p-values < .05). Subjective cognition was associated with comorbidities, number of symptoms, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, pain, and stress (|0.158| < r < |0.537|, p-values < .05). Additional studies are needed to expand what is known about post-COVID-19 health disparities and to guide policies and interventions that promote cognitive functioning.

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

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.

Minority Stress, Self-Awareness, and Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Italian Transgender Young Adults

BACKGROUND

The security measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 emergency have caused complex consequences. The aim of the present study is to examine the repercussions of the pandemic on individuals belonging to gender identity minority groups, who have experienced heightened levels of stress in comparison to the general population.

METHODS

Online interviews with 12 transgender participants who resided in Italy during the pandemic were conducted and subsequently analyzed following the thematic analysis methodology.

RESULTS

The majority of the participants reported an increase in stress levels primarily attributed to the lack of acceptance and support within their familial environments, obstacles encountered in accessing specialized healthcare services, and a lack of support from the broader LGBTQ+ community. Despite these challenges, several participants developed effective coping strategies and a subset of them also benefited from multiple resilience factors, including familial support and assistance from mental health professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of the present study indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic, while fostering certain protective factors within this population, has also given rise to new and critical mental health concerns. These findings hold significant implications for professionals working with transgender populations, highlighting the necessity of addressing these emerging mental health issues.

Do Italian people still wear masks? Analysis of personality and dispositional correlates of facemask use in post Covid-19 scenario

Face mask wearing is a low-cost preventative measure for the Covid-19 pandemic. In Italy, face masks are no longer mandatory indoors from the 1st of May 2022. Some research focused on factors that influence the choice of using masks, but less is known about mask-wearing when non-mandatory. The present study aims to compare those who were still wearing masks indoors when non-mandatory and those who were not, in personality traits, anxiety, depression, and trust in healthcare professions, in Italy, in 2022. Furthermore, we analyze if resilience, reactance, political orientation, and Covid-19 vaccinations moderate between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing masks. 1151 adults, aged 18-64, were recruited. Using the Qualtrics platform, participants filled in a socio-demographic interview, and self-report questionnaires. Results showed that people who were still wearing a mask indoors had higher levels of psychoticism and negative affectivity, worse mental health, greater trust in healthcare professions, and worries about the pandemic. Moreover, resilience partially moderates the relationship between negative affectivity and the choice of wearing a mask. These findings provide a better understanding of individuals' responses to post-pandemic changes, identifying the personal and contextual aspects that can make people struggle with the process of returning to normality.

A Mental Health Pandemic? Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People's Mental Health

BACKGROUND

Research indicates that young people have been a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to negative mental health outcomes following COVID-19, with some authors warning of a 'mental health pandemic'.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Using a survey approach, this study explored the effects of lockdowns on the mental health of 1995 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland. Respondents completed the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) along with closed- and open-ended questions about COVID-19.

RESULTS

Results from regression analysis showed that being female, identifying as non-heterosexual and perceiving that mental health had worsened during lockdown were the best predictors of poor mental health. In the open responses, young people reported significant concerns about their mental health and their educational outcomes. They also felt that their needs were not given the same priority as those of adults during lockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the COVID-19 lockdowns adversely affected the mental health of many young people in Northern Ireland with the effects most acute for females and those identifying as non-heterosexual. Future research should explore the longer-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of these vulnerable young people and identify what support mechanisms need to be put in place to mitigate the negative effects of any future crises.

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

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.