INTRODUCTION: The Minority Stress Theory was used to examine loneliness among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) across 14 countries with high/low LGBT acceptance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHOD: A total of 10,905 GBMSM (Mage = 34 years; 93.2% urban; 16.2% racial/ethnic minority) were surveyed via the Hornet app. Distal and proximal stressors, social support, psychological wellbeing, and freedom of movement were assessed using multiple regression analyses.
RESULTS: Barriers to freedom of movement (i.e., quarantine) was strongly linked to loneliness among GBMSM, surpassing the effect of living in LGBT acceptance countries.
CONCLUSION: Fostering community cohesion is critical during public health emergencies for the overall wellbeing of GBMSM populations.
Freedom of movement, social support and psychological wellbeing: Resilience against COVID-19 related loneliness among sexual minority men living in high versus low LGBT acceptance countries
Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 38 (2), 419-442. doi: 10.1080/29933021.2026.2680113.