The impact of harassment and discrimination on the mental health of lesbian, gay and bisexual people

Abstract

Introduction

Despite growing acceptance of same-sex sexuality in the Western World, identity development of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals is still restricted by negative societal attitudes, which maintain the experience of stigmatization and discrimination.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to document the frequency of discriminatory events experienced by sexual minorities and their association with indicators of mental health in a Portuguese self-identified LGB sample.

Aims

To determine the association of harassment and discrimination with levels of mental health, and to establish a predictive relation between these variables.

Methods

A total of 610 LGB participants completed an online survey (mean age = 34.48, SD = 11.54). Most participants were single and self-identified as gay (73.8%). The survey included the following categories of survey items: demographic information, mental health, and discrimination experiences. Mental health was measured using the subscale of Emotional Wellness from the SF-36 questionnaire and the K10 questionnaire.

Results

Between one-fifth and one-fourth of the participants in this sample frequently felt the need to hide their sexual orientation to prevent discrimination experiences. Close to 20% reported having suffered from verbal abuse, followed by close to 10% who suffered from written threats, harassment, and physical threats. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of anticipated and actual discrimination on mental health. The analysis explained 17% of the overall variance.

Conclusions

Stigma/discrimination create discriminatory experiences which impact LGB people's mental health.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.