LGB depression symptoms in Brazil during COVID-19 living with and without their family: A Brief Report

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression scores among LGB individuals in Brazil, focusing on differences in mental health outcomes for those living with their families compared to those living independently. The hypothesis suggested that LGB individuals living with their families would experience higher depression scores due to unique challenges related to minority stress and social discrimination. The study analyzed 1,050 participants aged 18 to 70 years, including 170 lesbians (16%), 346 gays (33%), and 534 bisexuals (50%). The sample was diverse in terms of gender, ethnicity, and regional distribution within Brazil. Results revealed a significant difference in depressive symptoms between LGB individuals living with their families and those living independently, with higher levels of depressive symptoms observed in the group living with their families. Furthermore, bisexuals had higher rates of depressive symptoms than others in the sample. This finding underscores the potential impact of social support and family relationships on the mental health outcomes of LGB individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic especially for women and bisexual people.