Disparities in COVID-19-related trauma and internalizing symptoms across sexual orientation and race/ethnicity during the pandemic: An intersectional approach

Background. Sexual minorities face elevated risk for internalizing problems due to minority stress, and these may have been particularly exacerbated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined sexual orientation and race/ethnicity-related mental health disparities during the first two months of stay-at-home orders.Method. We investigated disparities in COVID-19-related trauma and internalizing (i.e., depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty) symptoms in a university community via surveys in March (Wave 1) and May 2020 (Wave 2) cross-sectionally using t-tests and longitudinally using residualized change score regressions. The analytic sample (N = 646; M age = 25.70, SD age = 10.16 at Wave 1) comprised 350 (54.2%) White, non-Hispanic and 296 (45.8%) racial/ethnic minority participants; and 514 (79.6%) heterosexual and 132 (20.4%) sexual minority participants.Results. Sexual minorities reported greater symptomatology than heterosexuals across all outcomes at each wave. Racial/ethnic minorities reported no outcome differences compared to White, non-Hispanic individuals at each wave. Sexual minorities, compared to heterosexual individuals, reported decreased recovery of COVID-19-related trauma and increased intolerance of uncertainty at Wave 2.Conclusions. These findings build upon a growing body of literature of mental health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlight the importance of examining COVID-19-related trauma to understand the effects of the pandemic on minoritized populations, particularly sexual minorities. Further work is needed to elucidate the potential exacerbating effects of minority stress in these disparities.