Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC), College Park, Maryland, USA.
LGBT Health. 2022 Jul;9(5):303-312. doi: 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0280. Epub 2022 May 10.
Existing evidence indicates significant threats against the mental health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including elevated rates of substance use, anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the mechanistic identity-related factors that may influence the mental health needs of SGM young adults in the time of COVID-19. This study aims to examine the impact of increases in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) identity-related victimization since the start of COVID-19 on psychological distress among SGM college students. A nonprobability, cross-sectional online survey was conducted between May and August 2020 to explore the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. SGM college students ( = 565). Previously validated scales were used to measure LGBTQ identity-related victimization and psychological distress. Chi-square tests of independence, independent samples -tests, and adjusted logistic regression were used to examine the study aim. Adjusted logistic regression findings revealed that reporting past year+more frequent LGBTQ identity-related victimization since the start of COVID-19 (compared to no report) was associated with over four times greater odds of experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress. Findings highlight the importance of research, practice, and policy stakeholders toward addressing the unique identity-related mental health needs and victimization experiences of SGM college students. Mental health, social service, and higher education practitioners have an important opportunity and responsibility toward identifying and intervening on SGM college students and young adults facing identity-related victimization amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
现有证据表明，COVID-19 大流行对性少数群体和性别少数群体（SGM）年轻成年人的心理健康构成了重大威胁，包括物质使用、焦虑、抑郁和创伤后应激障碍的发生率升高。因此，了解可能影响 SGM 年轻成年人在 COVID-19 期间心理健康需求的与身份相关的机制因素至关重要。本研究旨在探讨自 COVID-19 开始以来，同性恋、双性恋、跨性别、变性和酷儿或质疑（LGBTQ）身份相关受害事件的增加对 SGM 大学生心理困扰的影响。 2020 年 5 月至 8 月期间，进行了一项非概率、横断面在线调查，以探讨 COVID-19 对美国 SGM 大学生的心理影响（n=565）。使用先前验证的量表来衡量 LGBTQ 身份相关的受害事件和心理困扰。采用独立性卡方检验、独立样本 t 检验和调整后的逻辑回归来检验研究目的。 调整后的逻辑回归发现，与没有报告相比，报告自 COVID-19 开始以来过去一年+更频繁的 LGBTQ 身份相关受害事件与经历中度至重度心理困扰的几率增加了四倍多。 研究结果强调了研究、实践和政策利益相关者关注 SGM 大学生独特的与身份相关的心理健康需求和受害经历的重要性。心理健康、社会服务和高等教育从业者有机会也有责任识别和干预面临身份相关受害事件的 SGM 大学生和年轻人，这些事件发生在持续的 COVID-19 大流行中。
