COVID-19: How did it affect the LGBTQI community?

The pandemic has affected the entire planet and increased mental health problems such as anxiety disorder and depression. As a new study showed, there was an increase in the already existing psychosocial and emotional issues of individuals belonging to the LGBTQI community. Their mental health was affected even more because their lifestyle, socialization patterns and relationships changed.

The effects

According to the authors of the study, during the quarantine period, the coping mechanisms developed by LGBTQI were disrupted. In particular, they could not meet their loved ones or go out to places where they frequently went and had a good time. Instead they had to stay home and communicate with people with whom they had no particular contact. In fact, the huge need for physical distancing has had a negative psychological and emotional impact on vulnerable groups who often seek comfort and consolation from their wider community. For the study, researchers conducted an online survey of 1,380 adults in the United States from March to June 2020. 290 people were members of the community, while 1,090 were heterosexual and cisgender, that is, individuals who identified with the gender with which they were born. Participants were asked about social support systems as well as any psychological and physical symptoms they encountered during the pandemic.

The results

LGBTQI people had more frequent symptoms of anxiety and depression during the first three months of the pandemic. It should be noted that no one knew at the beginning of the pandemic how much it would affect the inhabitants of the planet mentally and physically. In the end, as it turned out, the effects were much greater than expected.

In the past

Of course, the results of the study are not new as in the past the LGBTQI has been found to be twice as likely to develop mental health issues. They are also 2.5 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than heterosexuals. In addition, people in the community are more likely to seek mental health and support services. Giota Florou Source: healthline.com Recent Articles