The current study aimed to explore the relationship between restrictive antigay policies and their impact on mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals (LGBT) living in China. This study was conducted in order to provide evidence for better understanding the psychological consequences of discrimination against LGBT people in China.
A sample of 1000 individuals who identified themselves as being either homosexual or transgender were recruited from a university campus in Beijing using convenience sampling. The participants were randomly divided into three groups based on whether they had experienced discrimination, whether they had social support, or both. They completed a questionnaire that assessed their levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress, which were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4).
Results indicated that those who had experienced discrimination reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress compared to those without such experiences.
Those who also received social support reported lower levels of these symptoms than those without it. These findings suggest that social support may buffer the negative effects of experiencing discrimination on mental health outcomes.
These results are consistent with previous studies showing that discrimination has negative effects on mental health outcomes among LGBT individuals.
One meta-analysis found that sexual minorities who faced discrimination were more likely to report depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders compared to those who did not. Another study found that LGBT individuals living in countries where same-sex relationships are illegal reported greater levels of depression and suicidal ideation than those living in countries where they are legal.
This study provides evidence for the importance of addressing discrimination against LGBT people in China. Social support appears to be an important factor in mitigating the psychological consequences of antigay policies. It is essential for policymakers to recognize the impact of these policies on the wellbeing of vulnerable populations and take steps to protect their rights and promote inclusion.