Table 1 Summary of peer-reviewed studies on LGBTQ college students and their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Author (Year) | Title | Sample Size (n) | Data Collection Period | Type of Study | Main Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Algarin et al. (2022) [22] | Associations Between Living Arrangement and Sexual and Gender Minority Stressors Among University Students Since the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic | 478 sexual and gender minority college students | May to August 2020 | Online survey | Returning to parental home due to COVID-19 was associated with identity concealment and familial rejection |
Cerezo et al. (2021) [26] | Understanding the Power of Social Media During COVID-19: Forming Social Norms for Drinking among Sexual Minority Gender Expansive College Women | 28 Sexual minority and gender expansive college women | February 11 to May 25, 2020 | Online focus groups | Social drinking on social networking platforms increased as a way to address social isolation and pandemic-related stress |
Freibott et al. (2022) [20] | The Influence of Race, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Academic Persistence During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 146,810 undergraduate students | Fall 2017 to Winter 2020 (pre-COVID) March to December 2020 (during COVID) | Healthy Minds Study | Sexual and gender minority undergraduate students were more likely to screen for anxiety and/or depression compared to cisgender-heterosexual peers |
Gattamorta et al. (2022) [24] | Family Rejection during COVID-19: Effects on Sexual and Gender Minority Stress and Mental Health among LGBTQ University Students | 565 sexual and gender minority university students | May 27 to August 14, 2020 | Online survey | Familial rejection among sexual and gender minority university students was associated with moderate to severe psychological distress |
Gonzales et al. (2020) [13] | Mental Health Needs Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 477 LGBTQ college students | April 24 to June 5, 2020 | Online survey | Approximately 60% of LGBTQ college students reported symptoms of psychological distress, anxiety, and/or depression |
Hanna-Walker et al. (2023) [23] | “It’s like and elephant in the room with my family”: LGBTQ + College Students’ Identity Expression During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 411 LGBTQ college students | April 29 to May 25, 2020 | Online survey | Most LGBTQ + college students perceived restricted opportunities for expressing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, especially when living with family |
Hoyt et al. (2021) [21] | “Constant Stress Has Become the New Normal”: Stress and Anxiety Among U.S. College Students in the Time of COVID-19 | 707 full-time college students | April 25 to July 31, 2020 | Online survey with follow-up | Sexual and gender minority students reported more perceived stress and anxiety than cisgender-heterosexual peers |
Hunt et al. (2021) [14] | Gender Diverse College Students Exhibit Higher Psychological Distress Than Male and Female Peers During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic | 83 gender diverse participants matched with 83 males and 83 females | March 18 to April 1, 2020 | Survey sent by email at a public 4-year university | Approximately half of gender diverse college students reported severe psychological distress, which was higher than male and female participants |
Lawrence et al. (2021) [25] | LGBTQ + College Students’ Engagement in COVID-Protective and COVID-Risk Behaviors | 438 LGBTQ college students | April 29 to May 25, 2020 | Online survey | Most LGBTQ college students stayed home except when seeking essential needs, avoided social gatherings, maintained six feet distancing, and wore face masks |
Parchem et al. (2021) [15] | Comparison of Anxiety and Depression Rates Among LGBTQ College Students Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 3,484 LGBTQ college students sampled before the pandemic and 1,647 sampled mid-pandemic | Spring 2019 semester and Spring 2021 semester | Healthy Minds Study | Among LGBTQ college students, anxiety symptoms were significantly lower during the pandemic than they were pre-pandemic, and there were no changes in depression |
Salerno et al. (2021) [16] | Changes in Alcohol Use Since the Onset of COVID-19 are Associated with Psychological Distress Among Sexual and Gender Minority University Students in the U.S | 509 LGBTQ college students | May 27, 2020 to August 14, 2020 | Online survey | Mean psychological distress was high and 32% of LGBTQ college students reported increased alcohol use since the start of the pandemic |
Salerno et al. (2022) [17] | LGBTQ Identity-Related Victimization During COVID-19 Is Associated with Moderate to Severe Psychological Distress Among Young Adults | 565 LGBTQ college students | May 27, 2020 to August 14, 2020 | Online survey | Past year LGBTQ identity-based discrimination since the start of COVID-19 was associated with greater psychological distress |
Wood et al. (2022) [18] | Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health and Access to Sexual Health Services Among University Students in Canada | 1,504 university students | December 2020 to January 2021 | Online survey | Sexual minority students reported higher levels of stress compared to their heterosexual peers |
Zhang et al. (2022) [19] | How Social Support and Parent–Child Relationship Quality Relate to LGBTQ + College Students’ Well-Being During COVID-19 | 366 LGBTQ college students | April 29, 2020 to May 25, 2020 | Online survey | LGBTQ students with more social and familial supports reported better wellbeing than LGBTQ peers without supportive families during the pandemic |