Disproportionate Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Perceived Social Support, Mental Health and Somatic Symptoms in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

ABSTRACT

Deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise, and this virus has asymmetric impacts on marginalized communities though specific impacts on sexual and gender minority communities are not well understood. From March 23 to June 20, 2020, in an online cross-sectional survey among 1380 US adults, we assessed physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, rumination, and perceived social support in order to describe differences between sexual and gender minority (n = 290) and cisgender heterosexual (n = 1090) respondents. Sexual and gender minority respondents had more frequent COVID-19-associated physical symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms. Sexual and gender minorities had a significantly higher proportion of depression and anxiety scores exceeding the clinical concern threshold. Longitudinal studies on the physical and psychological impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority communities are needed to inform interventions to eliminate these disparities.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• gender identity
• sexual orientation
• health disparities
• symptoms
• rumination
• social support

Acknowledgments

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors. There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Indiana University School of Nursing, Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness.