LGBTQI+ Youth and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Due to increased levels of stigma, discrimination and victimization Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning or Intersex (LGBTQI+) youth face particular challenges in society. With the intention of better understanding the challenges and issues that LGBTQI+ youth are experiencing, this systematic review explored qualitative studies with a focus on mental health services and the requisite social support service policies and programs for LGBTQI+ youth. Qualitative research systematically examines the expressed thoughts and feelings of the research participants, and through reflective analysis of the themes and links discussed, can provide rich and nuanced understanding. A synthesis of the included studies identified five core themes: (1) Isolation, rejection, phobia, need for support; (2) Marginalization; (3) Depression, self-harm and suicidality; (4) Policy and environment; and (5) Connectedness. Key results suggest that community, school, and family resources to support resilience will optimize LGBTQI+ mental health. This systematic review of qualitative research provides a source of rich information to inform the provision of services and policies that will address the disparity into mental health statistics for the LGBTQI+ population.

The Needs of LGBTI People Regarding Health Care Structures, Prevention Measures and Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures: A Qualitative Study in a German Metropolis

“…Apart from substance abuse, minority stress is also associated with a higher risk of mental health problems among LGBT populations, such as depression and suicide ideation [55,56,57,58,59,60,61]. Suicide prevention programs should support LGBTI people in developing a sense of belonging and improving self-esteem, e.g., via affirmative approaches and trainings for health care professionals to raise awareness on LGBTI issues [57].…”

LGBT + young people’s perceptions of barriers to accessing mental health services in Ireland

“…In terms of barriers to accessing services, Wagaman’s (2014) study highlights how a lack of financial resources acts as a barrier to transgender youth beginning their medical transition, with Lefkowitz and Mannell (2017) noting how service providers can be dismissive of young people who identify as transgender, believing them to be too young to know their identity. While Wilson and Cariola’s (2019) systematic review into mental health and LGBTQI + youth identifies the many mental health challenges experienced and alludes to the lack of knowledge among health professionals, the review does not report on barriers experienced by this group in accessing mental health services. Not surprisingly, a number of researchers call for further research into factors influencing sexual and gender minority youth decision‐making in relation to accessing mental health care (Brown et al., 2016; Roberts et al., 2018; Wagaman, 2014) in order to improve services and enhance their engagement with mental health care.…”

Orientación sexual y salud mental en jóvenes universitarios españoles

“…Numerosos estudios han mostrado que las personas homosexuales y bisexuales utilizan más recursos psicológicos y psiquiátricos (Bränström, 2017;Platt, Wolf, & Scheitle, 2018), valoran peor su salud mental (Shenkman, Stein, & Bos, 2019), presentan mayor frecuencia de trastornos psicológicos, principalmente relacionados con la ansiedad, la depresión y el abuso de sustancias, y tienen el doble de riesgo de intentos autolíticos que las personas heterosexuales (Cochran, Björkenstam, & Mays, 2017;Kerridge, Pickering, Saha, Ruan, Chou, Zhang, & Hasin, 2017;King et al, 2008;Krueger & Upchurch, 2019;Plöderl & Tremblay, 2015). Estos problemas se agravan especialmente cuando se trata de población joven LGTBI y, concretamente, en el periodo de transición e integración a un nuevo contexto, el universitario (Baams, De Luca, & Brownson, 2018;Bouris & Hill, 2017;Dunbar, Sontag-Padilla, Ramchand, Seelam, & Stein, 2017;Marshal et al, 2011;Wilson & Cariola, 2019).…”