• Peng-Wei Wang, Yu-Ping Chang, Ching-Shu Tsai, and Cheng-Fang Yen.
• Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2024 Feb 28.

Background/PurposeDepressive and anxiety symptoms were common among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This 4-year follow-up study was conducted to investigate the predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Taiwan's young adult LGB population.MethodsBaseline data, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, demographic characteristics, sexual stigma, self-identity confusion, and family support were collected from 1000 LGB individuals. The participants' depressive and anxiety symptoms were reassessed 4 years after the baseline measurements. The predictive effects of the baseline factors on depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow-up were examined through linear regression analysis.ResultsGreater lack of identity, unconsolidated identity, sexual orientation microaggression, and lower perceived family function at baseline were significantly associated with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow-up. After adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms, being men, greater lack of identity, lower perceived family function, and more severe anxiety symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms at follow-up. After adjustment for baseline anxiety symptoms, greater unconsolidated identity and more severe depressive symptoms at baseline were significantly associated with more severe anxiety symptoms at follow-up.ConclusionsIntervention aimed at reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in LGB individuals should be developed considering the predictors identified in this study.Copyright © 2024 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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