LGBTQ+ Asians face increased mental health risks due to intersectional discrimination and minority stress. This mixed-methods study examined associations between minority stress, intersectional discrimination, and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ Asians. Between 2022 and 2023, 136 LGBTQ+ Asian residents of New York City were surveyed. Adjusted logistic regression models compared the odds of clinically-significant depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicide risk by self-reported measures of discriminatory experiences towards LGBTQ+ Asians. A subsample of 24 individuals completed semi-structured interviews in English, and thematic content analysis was utilised to understand contextual factors and discriminatory experiences influencing mental health. Individuals experiencing higher levels of everyday discrimination had increased odds of reporting clinically-significant depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and high suicide risk. Individuals experiencing higher levels of racialised and LGBTQ-related microaggressions had increased odds of reporting clinically-significant depressive and anxiety symptoms. Interviews revealed themes including social isolation, anticipated stigma attributed to discriminatory experiences within LGBTQ+ and Asian communities, and pervasive impacts of racial and LGBTQ+ discrimination on mental health. These findings underscore mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ Asians associated with varying levels of discrimination and targeted microaggressions. More research is needed to understand the causal mechanisms by which intersectional discrimination impacts LGBTQ+ Asians’ mental health.
The relationship between intersectional discrimination and mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ Asians in New York City: An exploratory, mixed-methods study
Psychology and Sexuality [Epub 2024 Dec 2]. doi: 10.1080/19419899.2024.2436426.