Living Through COVID-19: Social Distancing, Computer-Mediated Communication, and Well-Being in Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults. Issue 4 (21st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baumel, Katie; Hamlett, Mara; Wheeler, Brittany; Hall, Deborah; Randall, Ashley K.; Mickelson, Kristin
• Is Part Of: Journal of homosexuality. Volume 68:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 673
• Page End: 691
• Publication Date: 2021-03-21
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- LGBQ -- sexual minorities -- psychological well-being -- social distancing -- computer-mediated communication; Homosexuality -- Periodicals; 306.766
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868190
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-8369

Abstract

ABSTRACT: COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects on people's lives, with evidence of a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. Given existing health disparities and research on minority stress, COVID-19 may have uniquely impacted psychological well-being among sexual minorities. In an online survey of adults in the U.S. ( N = 1, 007) conducted in April 2020, we examined differences between sexual minority and heterosexual participants in psychological well-being, social distancing, computer-mediated communication, and COVID-19-related worry and experiences. Sexual minorities reported lower thriving and greater psychological distress, social distancing, computer-mediated communication, and COVID-19 worry and experiences than heterosexual participants. Social distancing and distress were positively correlated among sexual minorities and more frequent computer-mediated communication predicted greater thriving across groups. Path analyses showed sexual minorities' poorer psychological well-being was mediated by their greater COVID-19 worry and social distancing, in particular. These findings shed light on the distinct impact of COVID-19 on sexual minorities.