The queers are all right: a content analysis of LGBTQIA + mental health on TikTok

Abstract

The formation of online communities instils a sense of connectedness which can ameliorate the mental health concerns that result from minority stressors for lesbian, gay, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse genders/sexualities (LGBTQIA+). The aim of this study was to explore how LGBTQIA + people communicate social and mental health concerns on TikTok. It was anticipated that factors affecting mental health, such as minority stressors and community connectedness, would be addressed by the videos collected. Engagement statistics, demographics and content analysis were used to describe the 50 most-viewed videos across the top five related hashtags: #genderidentity, #lgbtqawareness, #sexualidentity, #lgbtmentalhealth, and #transmentalhealth. The content analysis indicates that TikTok is used as a way for members of the LGBTQIA + community to connect with each other and enhance feelings of community connectedness, which research shows may buffer the effects of minority stressors. Engagement with social media can be especially beneficial for those who may not be able to connect in the real-world. Further interactions, such as analysis of the comment section, should be investigated to develop a fuller understanding of how LGBTQIA + TikTok users respond to these contents.

Keywords:

• TikTok
• LGBTQIA+
• mental health
• gender diversity
  
• sexuality diversity
  

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which the Telethon Kids Institute is located. We pay our respects to their elders past and present. In addition, we acknowledge our positionality in research involving a minority group. The first author identifies as both sexuality and gender diverse. Other authors are also sexuality diverse. Thus, we bring a degree of respect and personal insight to this investigation.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the project conceptualisation, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript write-up.

Data availability statement

The data cannot be shared due to ethical considerations.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Telethon Kids Institute Research Focus Area Collaboration Award 2022.