Hong Chenglin, Skiba Bartosz
School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA.
School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA.
J Psychiatr Res. 2025 Feb;182:132-141. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.12.037. Epub 2024 Dec 31.
LGBTQ adolescents and young adults have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health among LGBTQ adolescents and young adults, identify associated factors, and summarize coping strategies. A systematic review was conducted by searching six databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE). Eligibility criteria included (1) reported mental health outcomes, (2) conducted among LGBTQ adolescents and young adults, and (3) data collection occurred since January 2020. All studies were screened independently, and relevant data were synthesized following PRISMA guidelines. Of 395 records, 67 articles were screened for eligibility. Among these, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria. LGBTQ adolescents and young adults reported substantial mental health burdens, including depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness during the pandemic. A pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms with a combined sample size of 7326 LGBTQ adolescents and young adults was 59% (95%CI: 0.48-0.70), (I = 98.95%, p < 0.001). Among anxiety outcomes, the pooled prevalence with a sample size of 3258 LGBTQ adolescents and young adults was 55% (95% CI: 0.46-0.63), (I = 95.70%, p < 0.001). Individual factors associated with mental distress included age, gender, and history of mental health disorders. Interpersonal and community-level factors included loss of safe spaces, family support, and discrimination on sexual and gender minority identity. Strategies to cope with distress include the use of social media and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The pandemic has had a substantial negative impact on psychological distress among LGBTQ adolescents and young adults. Results substantiate the need for further research into social media as a coping instrument and the expansion of telehealth mental health services.
LGBTQ青少年和年轻人受新冠疫情的影响尤为严重。本综述旨在描述新冠危机对LGBTQ青少年和年轻人心理健康的影响，确定相关因素，并总结应对策略。通过检索六个数据库（PubMed、Embase、PsycINFO、CINAHL、Web of Science、MEDLINE）进行了系统综述。纳入标准包括：（1）报告了心理健康结果；（2）在LGBTQ青少年和年轻人中开展；（3）自2020年1月以来进行了数据收集。所有研究均独立筛选，并按照PRISMA指南综合相关数据。在395条记录中，筛选出67篇文章以确定其是否符合纳入标准。其中，39项研究符合纳入标准。LGBTQ青少年和年轻人报告称在疫情期间承受了巨大的心理健康负担，包括抑郁、焦虑、压力和孤独感。在合并样本量为7326名LGBTQ青少年和年轻人的情况下，抑郁症状的合并患病率为59%（95%CI：0.48 - 0.70），（I = 98.95%，p < 0.001）。在焦虑结果方面，样本量为3258名LGBTQ青少年和年轻人的合并患病率为55%（95%CI：0.46 - 0.63），（I = 95.70%，p < 0.001）。与心理困扰相关的个体因素包括年龄、性别和心理健康障碍史。人际和社区层面的因素包括安全空间的丧失、家庭支持以及对性取向和性别少数群体身份的歧视。应对困扰的策略包括使用社交媒体以及增加酒精、烟草和其他药物的使用。疫情对LGBTQ青少年和年轻人的心理困扰产生了重大负面影响。结果证实有必要进一步研究将社交媒体作为一种应对手段，以及扩大远程心理健康服务。
