• Jennifer Tabler, Rachel M Schmitz, Ruby Charak, and Aidan Propst.
• From the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, the Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, and the Department of Psychological Science, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg.
• South. Med. J. 2022 Oct 1; 115 (10): 752-759.

ObjectivesIn this study, we explore the role of Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic-related stress, social support, and health on unmet healthcare needs during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, particularly among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (LGBTQ+) adults.MethodsWe collected data using a self-administered online survey of US adults. Using logistic regression, we modeled potential risk and protective factors for not receiving needed care during the pandemic (forgone care) among LGBTQ+ individuals (n = 121), cisgender and heterosexual-identifying women (n = 235), and cisgender and heterosexual-identifying men (n = 62). Limiting analyses to the LGBTQ+ subsample, we also assessed the unique role of LGBTQ+ discrimination and depressive symptoms.ResultsLogistic regression results suggested that social support was associated with lower odds of forgone care (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, P < 0.01). Furthermore, better self-rated health and higher levels of income were associated with lower odds of forgone care (OR 0.56, P < 0.001, and OR 0.92, P < 0.05, respectively). Finally, LGBTQ+ individuals experienced uniquely high levels of forgone care, and LGBTQ+ discrimination (OR 1.03, P < 0.05) and depressive symptoms (OR 1.09, P < 0.01) were associated with higher odds of forgone care among LGBTQ+ participants.ConclusionsFuture research should examine the unique factors shaping the access to health care of LGBTQ+ adults in the United States, and healthcare practitioners should consider strategies to screen for discrimination and leverage the protective benefits of social support.

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