Malmquist, A. and Bredenberg, C. and Melin, J. and Wurm, M. and Tasker, Fiona and Gato, J. (2023) Queers in quarantine: young LGBTQ+ people’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 64 (2), pp. 150-159. ISSN 1467-9450.
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to major restrictions of everyday life activities. This worsened the social situation of many people, and marginalised groups have been especially affected. This article explores how LGBTQ+ young adults in Sweden have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recommendations and restrictions. Fifteen participants between 20-29 years, who self-identified as LGBTQ+, were interviewed about their experiences. A thematic analysis of the data showed that the participants perceived their psychological wellbeing to have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Several reported symptoms of clinical depression, as well as anxiety, worry, rumination, and a heightened sensitivity to stress. Stressors included fear of the disease itself, and fear of spreading the virus, as well as the negative consequences of adhering to the recommendations of social distancing, which constantly interplayed with the marginalised position of being a young LGBTQ+ person. Most participants experienced a decrease in minority stress in face-to-face interaction with social distancing measures in place, but an increase in minority stress online. Those who faced minority stress at home experienced the isolation as particularly stressful. Limited access to the LGBTQ+ community was a common stressor. For transgender participants, the effects on transgender healthcare, such as prolonged waiting times for gender dysphoria assessment and hormone treatment, were a major challenge. Our results have added valuable knowledge to research indicating how vulnerable young adults were highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keyword(s) / Subject(s): | LGBTQ+, minority stress, pandemic restrictions, COVID-19, social distance |
| School: | Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences |
| Research Centres and Institutes: | Gender and Sexuality, Birkbeck (BiGS) |
| Depositing User: | Fiona Tasker |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Oct 2022 13:18 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Aug 2023 06:03 |
| URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/49605 |
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