The Mental Health of Southeast Asian American LGBTQIA+ Adults

<p>The current study examines the prevalence of and relationship between mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among a sample of Southeast Asian Americans (age: <em>M</em> = 26.6, <em>SD</em> = 4.0) who self-identified as sexual and gender minorities (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual and plus [LGBTQIA+]) (<em>n</em> = 41). Our national online survey was co-developed with a partnering community-based organization (CBO), Mekong NYC, and was disseminated through Southeast Asian American and/or LGBTQIA+ serving CBOs, university-affiliated organizations, and relevant affinity groups.</p> <p>Results indicate that participants in our sample who identified as female, non-binary, bisexual, 30-34 years old, Vietnamese, and income range $50,000-$74,999 had the highest prevalence of both moderate to moderately severe anxiety and depression. Overall, 68.4% of participants reported experiencing at least mild depressive symptoms in the past two weeks and 97.5% reported experiencing at least minimal anxiety symptoms in the past two weeks. Similarly, participants who were female, nonbinary, bisexual, and 24-29 years old reported the highest prevalence of three or more ACEs. A majority of participants (89.5%) reported experiencing at least one ACE with 44.7% experiencing three or more ACEs. By ACE category, the majority of participants reported ACEs of Household Dysfunction (83.3%), Psychological Abuse (65.8%), and Physical Abuse (39.5%). Overall, 64.1% of this sample reported low to moderate levels of outness about sexual orientation (<em>M</em> = 3.2, <em>SD</em> = 1.3). Participants indicated the highest levels of support for sexual orientation from Siblings (<em>M</em> = 4.6, <em>SD</em> = 2.3), New Straight Friends (<em>M</em> = 4.5, <em>SD</em> = 2.3) and Old Heterosexual Friends (<em>M</em> = 4.4, <em>SD</em> = 2.1); participants reported the least outness and support in the Religion subcategory (<em>M</em> = 1.4, <em>SD</em> = 0.8).</p> <p>These findings suggest depression, general anxiety, and adverse childhood experiences of household dysfunction, psychological abuse, and physical abuse are prevalent mental health concerns within the Southeast Asian American LGBTQIA+ population. While the study had a small sample and results are not generalizable to other populations, these findings provide a greater and more nuanced understanding of mental health for this population.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Phoummavong, Phetsamone P

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lan Doan
• Vivien Tartter
• Sophia Barrett

• Southeast Asian American
• depression
• anxiety
• adverse childhood experiences
• outness
• LGBTQIA+
• Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/1177

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:cc_etds_theses-2272