Social media use and health and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth: A systematic review (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND LGBTQ individuals are at higher risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Social media platforms can provide LGBTQ youth a space which counters heteronormative environments and potentially supports mental health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE In this systematic review, we sought to assess the relationship between social media use and mental health and wellbeing in LGBTQ youth. METHODS Searches were conducted in ACM Digital Library, CINAHL, OVID Embase, OVID Medline, and Web of Science. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quantitative articles and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for qualitative articles. Qualitative synthesis was performed on articles that satisfied eligibility and inclusion criteria. RESULTS Twenty-six articles (15 qualitative, 8 quantitative, and 3 mixed methods) met the inclusion criteria. Social media is a popular tool commonly used by LGBTQ youth to connect with LGBTQ communities. LGBTQ youth also negotiated and explored identity and obtained support from peers on social media. Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter were commonly used to access LGBTQ content due to ease of anonymity. Identity management was important for LGBTQ youth with social media allowing strategic disclosure. Key strategies for managing identities included being anonymous, censoring locations/content, restricting audiences, and using multiple accounts. Quantitative studies showed that social media was associated with reduced mental health concerns and increased wellbeing for LGBTQ youth. Mental health concerns arising from social media use were attributed to policies that did not accommodate for changed identities. CONCLUSIONS We found that social media may support mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth through peer connection, identity management, and social support but findings were limited by weaknesses in the evidence. More robust studies are needed to determine the relationship between social media use and LGBTQ mental health, particularly among adolescents. This may inform interventions to promote social media health literacy and the mental health and wellbeing of this vulnerable group.