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Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities
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Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral and Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 4853

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Glazzard

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Education, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, UK
Interests: teacher education; mental health; social justice; literacy; disability; LGBTQ+
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mark Vicars

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Interests: LGBTQ+; trauma

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to experience poor mental health. As a minority, they are exposed to additional stressors on top of general stressors that affect everyone. Meyer [1] categorises these additional stressors into distal and proximal stressors. Distal stressors are external stressors and include bullying, harassment and prejudice. Proximal stressors are internal stressors and include internalised homophobia, self-stigma and fear of a negative reaction. According to Meyer [1], these stressors are likely to lead to poor mental health, although individuals can mitigate the effects of these stressors by forming social networks. In addition, the risks that LGBTQ+ individuals are exposed to in online digital worlds can increase the likelihood of poor mental health, and research shows that the transgender population are more at risk than those who are lesbian and gay [2]; LGBTQ+ individuals can experience homelessness and bullying in schools, and during adulthood are also at risk of experiencing loneliness and suffering the effects of trauma. Intersectional identities also pose particular risks. For example, research demonstrates that disabled LGBTQ+ young people experience multiple forms of oppression [3]. LGBTQ+ students in higher education can face particular challenges, but research also demonstrates that they can be powerful agents of change [4]. This Special Issue will take a multi-disciplinary approach, and a range of creative, qualitative research methods will be used to give a voice to the marginalised. It will explore the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities across their lifespans.

References

  1. Meyer, I.H. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Bull. 2003, 129, 674–697, doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674.
  2. Bradlow, J.; Bartram, F.; Guasp, A.; Jadva, V. School Report: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Young People in Britain’s Schools in 2017, Stonewall, London, 2017. Available Online: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/the_school_report_2017.pdf (accessed on 2 June 2023)
  3. Toft, A.; Franklin, A. Young Disabled and LGBT+: Voices, Identities and Intersections, 1st ed.; Routledge: London, UK, 2020.
  4. Glazzard, J.; Jindal-Snape, D.; Stones, S. Transitions Into, and Through, Higher Education: The Lived Experiences of Students Who Identify as LGBTQ+. Educ. 2020, 5, https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.00081.

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Glazzard
Dr. Mark Vicars
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • LGBTQ+
  • mental health
  • trauma
  • wellbeing

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 552 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Cultural Study of Social Support from Family, Friends, and Significant Others and Mental Health Among Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese Gay and Lesbian Young Adults
by Nicola Picone, Pedro Alexandre Costa, Marta Evelia Aparicio-García and Gaetana Affuso
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(7), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22071038 - 29 Jun 2025
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Gay and lesbian young adults report worse mental health than their heterosexual counterparts due to social stigma. Nonetheless, factors such as social support may protect them against the negative effects of stigma. The current study compares Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese gay and lesbian [...] Read more.
Gay and lesbian young adults report worse mental health than their heterosexual counterparts due to social stigma. Nonetheless, factors such as social support may protect them against the negative effects of stigma. The current study compares Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese gay and lesbian young adults on three dimensions of social support (family, friends, and significant others) and on mental health indicators (depression and anxiety). It also explores the associations between social support and mental health among the three countries. To this end, a sample of 687 gay and lesbian young adults filled out an online questionnaire: 345 from Italy (Mage = 25.24, SD = 4.39), 193 from Spain (Mage = 27.44, SD = 5.05), and 149 from Portugal (Mage = 24.45, SD = 5.15). Italian participants reported lower levels of social support from family and friends than Spanish participants. Moreover, Portuguese participants reported higher levels of anxiety than Italian participants. The results of the survey further indicate that only social support from family was significantly and negatively associated with depression and anxiety in the three countries. Overall, the findings suggest that the mental health of gay and lesbian young adults can be improved through non-stigmatising cultures as well as family education. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities)
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14 pages, 254 KiB  
Article
Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Mental and Physical Health Care Among Sexual Minority Women: A Qualitative Exploration
by Charlotte A. Dawson, Alicia Moulder and Kristin E. Heron
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(6), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060965 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 487
Abstract
Cisgender sexual minority women (SMW, e.g., lesbian, queer) are at greater risk for poor mental and physical health compared to heterosexual women and face challenges when accessing health care. Previous research has largely focused on general sexual and gender minority barriers to health [...] Read more.
Cisgender sexual minority women (SMW, e.g., lesbian, queer) are at greater risk for poor mental and physical health compared to heterosexual women and face challenges when accessing health care. Previous research has largely focused on general sexual and gender minority barriers to health care, but more research is needed on the experiences of specific subgroups, including cisgender SMW. The current study qualitatively explored barriers and facilitators for cisgender SMW seeking health care. Twenty cisgender SMW aged 18–40 recruited using Meta advertisements and past participant lists completed 45 min semi-structured interviews and a brief survey. Thematic analysis conducted by two coders revealed a barrier theme with six subthemes, and a facilitator theme with seven subthemes. The barrier subthemes included discrimination, dominant culture centric, unsupportive socio-political environment, lack of patient-centered care, avoidance/concealment of sexual identity, and socio-economic challenges. The facilitator subthemes included supportive socio-political environment, advance identification of LGBTQ-affirming HCPs, patient-centered care, HCP identity similar to patient, social support, re-engagement with care after bad experiences, and socio-economic advantages. This study provides insight into the lived experiences of cisgender SMW that can help improve knowledge about health care disparities and inform health care interventions for this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities)
11 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
How Social Support and Parent–Child Relationships Related to LGBTQ+ College Students’ Academic Challenges During COVID-19
by Yuan Zhang, Miranda R. Garcia and Eva. S. Lefkowitz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030459 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 565
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the living arrangements of many college students in the United States, potentially impacting their academic development, which plays a critical role in their mental health. At the start of the pandemic, university closures led to an abrupt transition from [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the living arrangements of many college students in the United States, potentially impacting their academic development, which plays a critical role in their mental health. At the start of the pandemic, university closures led to an abrupt transition from face-to-face instruction to online instruction, which may have caused significant challenges for college students, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others who identify as having a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBTQ+). To identify academic challenges and associated protective factors, we examined LGBTQ+ college students’ social support from family and friends, the parent–child relationship quality, and their associations with academic challenges during the first months of the pandemic. The results of online surveys indicated that LGBTQ+ college students (N = 408; Mean Age = 20.4 yrs) who reported less family support and worse relationship quality with their parents perceived that academics had become relatively harder than before the pandemic. In contrast, friend support was unrelated to perceived academic challenges. These findings underscore the potentially protective role of supportive and high-quality relationships with family. The findings also provide insight into how universities could support students’ academic success during other temporary academic breaks and sudden, unplanned disruptions, such as hurricanes or other weather-related events, which is essential in promoting LGBTQ+ college students’ mental health and academic success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities)
19 pages, 474 KiB  
Article
Navigating Digital Geographies and Trauma Contexts: Conceptions of Online Communities and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ People During COVID-19
by Rachel M. Schmitz, Jennifer Tabler, Ruby Charak, Gabby Gomez, Reagan E. Cole and Joshua J. Schmitz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030443 - 17 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 790
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic shaped challenges for marginalized groups. Specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) people experienced community-building constraints, notably in predominantly rural regions. People are also navigating digital geographies, or online social environments, in novel ways to develop virtual communities in [...] Read more.
The coronavirus pandemic shaped challenges for marginalized groups. Specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) people experienced community-building constraints, notably in predominantly rural regions. People are also navigating digital geographies, or online social environments, in novel ways to develop virtual communities in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and potential trauma. Through a minority coping approach, the present study explored LGBTQ+ people’s experiences navigating the dynamics of digital geographies during the pandemic while residing in socially conservative, highly rural physical spaces where they may be exposed to vicarious trauma. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, data were gathered from 43 LGBTQ+ identifying individuals between 19 and 59 years old (M/SD = 27.7/9.2) between October 2020 and January 2021. Nearly 14% identified as transgender, nonbinary, or queer individuals, 35% as bisexual individuals, and 21% as people of color including Hispanic/Latina/o. Thematic analysis of the narratives described participants’ exposures to online discrimination and stigmatization of minority groups (racial and/or sexual/gender minority groups) during the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional constraints to identity expression, utilizing social technologies to manage their identities, and negotiating digital strategies to promote social ties. Findings emphasize improving marginalized people’s experiences with digital geographies through identity affirmation and community relationship-building to offset potentially traumatic experiences. Furthermore, service providers can utilize the findings to tailor effective virtual LGBTQ+ community programming to support underserved, marginalized populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities)
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Review

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18 pages, 807 KiB  
Review
Mental Health Outcomes Among Travestis and Transgender Women in Brazil: A Literature Review and a Call to Action for Public Health Policies
by David R. A. Coelho, Ana Luiza N. Ferreira, Willians Fernando Vieira, Alex S. Keuroghlian and Sari L. Reisner
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(7), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22070977 - 20 Jun 2025
Viewed by 573
Abstract
Travestis and transgender women in Brazil face a disproportionate burden of mental health conditions, exacerbated by structural discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use among travestis and transgender women in [...] Read more.
Travestis and transgender women in Brazil face a disproportionate burden of mental health conditions, exacerbated by structural discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use among travestis and transgender women in Brazil, and examines intersecting social and health disparities. We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO in April 2025, identifying peer-reviewed studies in English or Portuguese reporting mental health outcomes or associated social determinants of health in this population. Thirty-one studies across twelve different cities (n = 7683) were included and grouped into two thematic domains. Reported prevalence ranged from 16–70.1% for depression, 24.8–26.5% for anxiety, and 25–47.3% for suicidality. Substance use was also highly prevalent, with studies reporting high rates of alcohol (21.5–72.7%), tobacco (56.6–61.6%), cannabis (19–68.9%), and cocaine/crack (6–59.8%) use. Discrimination, violence, economic hardship, and HIV were consistently associated with psychological distress and barriers to care. These findings underscore the urgent need to integrate mental health, gender-affirming care, and HIV services into Brazil’s Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde–SUS), strengthen anti-discrimination and violence-prevention policies, and adopt inclusive public health strategies that prioritize the leadership and lived experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse people, particularly amid rising political threats to gender-affirming care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Challenges Affecting LGBTQ+ Individuals and Communities)
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