Saúde mental de lésbicas, gays e bissexuais: um estudo exploratório

Abstract

Investigate the consequences of stressors for the mental health of lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGB), according to the minority stress theory. Method: cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study carried out in Manaus, Amazonas. The data were obtained remotely, with the application of three online instruments, via Google Forms, from September 2022 to June 2023, and analyzed using the Jamovi software. Results: 300 participants were included, of which 173 (57.7%) identified as bisexual, 71 (23.7%) as gay men and 56 (18.7%) as lesbians. In relation to internalized homonegativity, bisexuals (35.5%) were those who most absorbed negative social attitudes as part of their personal identity. Regarding revealing their sexuality, 91 bisexuals (30.3%), 42 (14.0%) lesbians and 50 homosexuals (16.7%) have already revealed it to friends, family or work colleagues. Regarding experiences of stigma, 227 (75.7%) suffered some type of negative experience, whether persecution, rejection, aggression or violence, due to sexual orientation. Regarding mental health, 57.3% of bisexual participants presented symptoms of depression, 56.7% of anxiety and 57.3% of stress, being, in this study, the group that presented the greatest vulnerability. Conclusion: Minority groups have lower levels of well-being, greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, contributing to high levels of stress due to the development of these psychopathologies. Furthermore, in this study, experiences of stigma constitute the most predominant factor in the mental health of LGB individuals