Associations between the Self-Reported Likelihood of Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine, Likelihood of Contracting COVID-19, Discrimination, and Anxiety/Depression by Sexual Orientation

Abstract

There is limited evolving literature on COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its barriers among sexual minority populations (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer [LGBTQ]), despite their increased COVID-19 risk factors. We assessed the differences in intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by self-reported likelihood of contracting COVID-19, anxiety/depression, discrimination frequency, social distancing stress, and sociodemographic factors across sexual orientation. An online national cross-sectional survey was conducted in the United States between 13 May 2021, and 9 January 2022, among adults aged ≥18 (n = 5404). Sexual minority individuals had a lower intention of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (65.62%) than heterosexual individuals (67.56%). Disaggregation by sexual orientation, however, showed that gay participants had a higher intention of COVID-19 vaccination (80.41%) and lesbian (62.63%), bisexual (64.08%), and non-heterosexual, non-LGB sexual minority (56.34%) respondents had lower intentions of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine than heterosexual respondents. Sexual orientation significantly moderated the association between the perceived likelihood of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and the self-reported likelihood of contracting COVID-19, anxiety/depression symptoms, and discrimination. Our findings further underline the importance of improving vaccination efforts and access among sexual minority individuals and other vulnerable groups.

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

“…This study discovered that depressive symptoms at baseline did not significantly predict MoVAC-19 4 years later. However, this finding is not consistent with those of a previous cross-sectional study [ 15 ]. The present study assessed the participants’ self-reported depressive symptoms within the preceding month at baseline.…”

“…The National Immunization Survey Adult COVID Module, United States between 29 August and 30 October 2021 demonstrated that 8.2% of gay or lesbian individuals and 10.2% of bisexual individuals reported that they probably or definitely would not get vaccinated [ 14 ]. In addition, a study in the United States between 13 May 2021 and 9 January 2022 demonstrated that sexual minority individuals had a lower intention of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (65.62%) than heterosexual individuals (67.56%) [ 15 ], whereas a study in Taiwan between 15 October 2020 and 21 December 2020 found that LGB individuals had a higher level of intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 compared with heterosexual individuals [ 16 ].…”

“…Perceived sexual stigma may prevent LGB individuals from accessing appropriate vaccine knowledge and administration information [ 20 ]. Furthermore, in LGB individuals, mild depressive symptoms are cross-sectionally associated with MoVAC-19 [ 15 ]. Depressive symptoms may heighten concerns about contracting COVID-19 and thus may increase MoVAC-19.…”

“…Data collected before the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to examine the predictive effects of sexual stigma and depressive symptoms on LGB individuals’ MoVAC-19. Fourth, studies have indicated that sexual orientation strongly moderates the relationship between the perceived likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and depressive symptoms and discrimination [ 15 ]. However, whether demographic-, sexual-, and gender-related characteristics moderate the predictive effects of depressive symptoms and perceived sexual stigma warrants further examination through prospective studies.…”

Factors Related to Mpox-Vaccine Uptake among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Taiwan: Roles of Information Sources and Emotional Problems

“…The associations between receiving information on mpox from social media and from health-care providers and mpox-vaccine uptake need to be studied further. Second, a study revealed that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals with severe or moderate depression and anxiety were less likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination [ 26 ]. According to PMT, emotional problems may reduce the self-efficacy of individuals in adopting coping strategies and overcoming the difficulty of receiving vaccination [ 12 , 13 ].…”