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Volume 22
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

The Lived Experience of Thai LGBTQ+ Adolescents—Self-Discovery, Healing from Depression, and the Need for Support: A Phenomenological Study

by
Wipawan Chaoum Pensuksan
1,
Saifon Aekwarangkoon
2,*,
Montha Saithanwanitkul
3,
Christina Montsma
4 and
Earlise Ward
5
1
Division of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Suratthani Rajabhat University, Surat Thani 84100, Thailand
2
Division of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing, The Excellence Center of Community Health Promotion, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
3
Division of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Thaksin University, Phathalung 93210, Thailand
4
Christina Montsma Consulting and Research LLC, Ripon, WI 54971, USA
5
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 610 N. Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121851
Submission received: 2 November 2025 / Revised: 21 November 2025 / Accepted: 9 December 2025 / Published: 11 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Children and Young People at Risk—Second Edition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

LGBTQ+ adolescents experience disproportionately high rates of depression globally, yet little is known about how these experiences are shaped by Thailand’s unique cultural context. This study addresses this gap by examining how Thai LGBTQ+ adolescents understand and navigate depression, identity development, and culturally shaped support systems. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with a sample of 20 Thai LGBTQ+ adolescents from rural regions. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated themes: (1) struggles with self-discovery, acceptance, and their relationship to depression; (2) living with depression and moving forward; and (3) the need for acceptance and understanding. Findings demonstrate that cultural norms—particularly family obligations, conditional acceptance, and collectivist expectations—intensify depression and shape help-seeking, coping, and identity development. The study highlights the need for culturally responsive mental-health interventions that integrate gender-diversity awareness, family education, LGBTQ+ -affirming school environments, and confidential support options. These findings suggest new, context-specific evidence for designing culturally responsive mental-health interventions for LGBTQ+ adolescents in Thailand.
Keywords: LGBTQ+ adolescents; depression; self-discovery; healing; support LGBTQ+ adolescents; depression; self-discovery; healing; support

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Pensuksan, W.C.; Aekwarangkoon, S.; Saithanwanitkul, M.; Montsma, C.; Ward, E. The Lived Experience of Thai LGBTQ+ Adolescents—Self-Discovery, Healing from Depression, and the Need for Support: A Phenomenological Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 1851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121851

AMA Style

Pensuksan WC, Aekwarangkoon S, Saithanwanitkul M, Montsma C, Ward E. The Lived Experience of Thai LGBTQ+ Adolescents—Self-Discovery, Healing from Depression, and the Need for Support: A Phenomenological Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(12):1851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121851

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pensuksan, Wipawan Chaoum, Saifon Aekwarangkoon, Montha Saithanwanitkul, Christina Montsma, and Earlise Ward. 2025. "The Lived Experience of Thai LGBTQ+ Adolescents—Self-Discovery, Healing from Depression, and the Need for Support: A Phenomenological Study" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 12: 1851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121851

APA Style

Pensuksan, W. C., Aekwarangkoon, S., Saithanwanitkul, M., Montsma, C., & Ward, E. (2025). The Lived Experience of Thai LGBTQ+ Adolescents—Self-Discovery, Healing from Depression, and the Need for Support: A Phenomenological Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(12), 1851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121851

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