The impact of minority stress on mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students in China: results from a National Internet Survey

Abstract

Background Literature related to minority stressors in affective symptoms among Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students in China is sparse, and often limited to specific provinces. Methods A combination of snowball and targeted sampling strategies was used to recruit lesbian, gay and bisexual students (N = 1,393) for a cross-sectional, online survey in China. Participants (Mage = 20.00 years; 60.23% assigned male at birth) completed a questionnaire assessing gender expression, minority stressors (school bullying, internalized homophobia), social psychological resources (social support), and health related outcomes (depression, anxious and stress). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses and structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test associations among these factors, with social psychological resources as a mediator between minority stress and health. Results 48.1% of the LGB students had depression; anxiety and stress were 57.1%, 37.5% respectively. Minority stressors were negatively associated with perceived social support, which was negatively associated with affective symptoms. Beyond indirect effects of minority stress on affective symptoms, direct links was also found. Conclusions LGB experience large and serious health disparities, as do LGB students. There is, an urgent need for prevention and intervention activities for LGB students, and these needs diverge along gender lines.