Depression and anxiety among sexual minorities in Iceland

Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms are significantly higher among non-heterosexual individuals compared to heterosexual individuals. Scholars have suggested that this is due to increased stressful social environment that non-heterosexual individuals experience. The current study aimed to explore the difference in depressive and anxiety symptoms between non-heterosexual adolescents and heterosexual adolescents in Iceland. The role of parental social support, peer social support and the experience of sexual abuse were examined as contributors to a higher level of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms among non-heterosexual individuals. Results indicated that the non-heterosexual adolescents showed significantly more depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms compared to their heterosexual peers. Non-heterosexual adolescents were more likely to have experienced sexual abuse and they also experienced lower parental social support compared to their heterosexual peers. Regression analysis showed that higher levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms among the non-heterosexual sample was only significant when there was no history of sexual abuse. Results are discussed from a theoretical perspective. Longitudinal studies on the development of different sexual attraction patterns are suggested for future research.

Author dc:creator

• Geir Andersen 1994-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Þunglyndi
• Kvíði
• Kynhneigð
• Psychology
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sexual orientation

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/36438

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/36438