COVID-19 stress, minority stress, and mental health among LGB Israeli individuals.

Abstract

Objective: The outbreak of COVID-19 is severely affecting mental health worldwide. Minorities are more vulnerable than the general public to the physical, financial, and psychological effects of the current pandemic. In the current study, mental health among Israeli LGB individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was investigated. Method: One-hundred and 57 lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals answered a questionnaire measuring COVID-19 stress, internalized homophobia, concealment, need of acceptance, anxiety, and depression. A structural equation model was conducted to test the proposed relations and mediating hypotheses. Results: All three measures of minority stress were positively related to anxiety and depression. In addition, indirect associations were found between concealment and need of acceptance, and anxiety and depression, through stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the ubiquity of minority stress, support the psychological mediation framework, and underline the need to investigate the effect of general and minority stress on the mental health of LGB individuals. Clinical Impact StatementLGB individuals have been exhibiting higher levels of physical and mental health problems, compared with heterosexuals, during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to our findings, minority stress related to concealment and the need of acceptance amplify their COVID-19 stress. Policymakers should respect individual differences and vulnerabilities in times of crisis. Concerted effort is required to provide LGB individuals with mental and physical health and educational services. Specifically, online platforms should be used to provide LGBT individuals and their families with the needed psychological treatment related to coping with interpersonal minority stressors. Safety nets and communities should continue to operate online.

Impact of COVID-19 stress on the psychological health of sexual & gender minority individuals: A systematic review

“…Two studies were conducted among the UK population ( 39 , 45 ), also a heterogeneous group of white individuals, mixed racial groups, and Asian individuals. The rest of the studies included participants representing several different countries like Israel ( 43 ), Hong Kong ( 47 ), Portugal ( 7 ), Chile ( 48 ), and Canada ( 50 ). Gato et al ( 6 , 7 ) included participants from six different countries namely, Portugal, the UK, Italy, Brazil, Chile, and Sweden.…”

“…All the studies included in the review assessed the psychological distress related to Covid-19 and the associated symptoms of depression and anxiety among SGM individuals. While the measures for assessing depression and anxiety were all standardized instruments (for instance, 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), Kroenke, et al ( 51 ) and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) ( 52 ); Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), Lovibond and Lovibond ( 53 ), most studies used customized questions to assess the Covid-19 related stress (for instance ( 31 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 50 ). The chief reason cited for this practice was a lack of a standardized scale for measuring stress related to Covid-19 among SGM individuals, although Tabler et al ( 33 ) used the Pandemic Stress Scale developed by Taylor et al ( 54 ).…”

“…Most commonly such experience of psychological distress was attributed to stressors like perceived social support (39,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)46), family-related issues (8), social discriminations (32) and nonaffirmation of one's identity (43).…”

“…Comparative view of the study characteristics and demographics of the study participants. related stress (for instance(31,43,46,47, 50). The chief reason cited for this practice was a lack of a standardized scale for measuring stress related to Covid-19 among SGM individuals, although Tabler et al(33) used the Pandemic Stress Scale developed by Taylor et al(54).Apart from anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, several studies also measured perceived social support(39, 32- 43, 46).…”

Attitudes of Physical Therapy Students in Israel toward People Identifying as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…People who identify as LGBTQIA+ are at a higher risk for poorer physical (such as hypertension and diabetes) and mental (such as depression, anxiety, and risky sexual behaviors) health compared with the heterosexual and cisgender people [1][2][3]. Yet, sexual and gender minorities often delay or avoid seeking medical care as they are uncomfortable disclosing their sexual orientation and gender identity to healthcare professionals [2,4,5].…”