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Depression among sexual minorities: A mix-methods study in Minas Gerais – Brazil

Samuel Araujo Gomes Da Silva, Demography Department, Cedeplar, UFMG
Paula Miranda-Ribeiro, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Kenya V. Noronha, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
Gilvan R. Guedes, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais & Indiana University

Numerous studies in the United States, Europe, and Australia have repeatedly documented that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals experience elevated rates of depression; typically, this is attributed to anti-LGB stigma, as predicted by Minority Stress Theory. In the current study, we investigate whether this same phenomenon exists in Brazil. To do so we estimate the risk of depression on the LGB population from Minas Gerais and compare with the general population; delineate profiles using the Grade of Membership (GoM) method; discuss the result of the interviews that helps to explain the relationship between mental health differentials and the milestones of sexual identities development among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals in the sample. We use the information available in the "Pesquisa Manas", a mix-method study of 754 LGB individuals, age 18 to 65, living in Minas Gerais – Brazil in 2019 and the National Health Survey of Brazil (PNS) from the same year. Results show far greater levels of depression among LGB persons than predicted by national estimates. Also, the mental health outcomes among sexual minorities seem to be affected by the sexual identity development milestones, social environment, family relationships, and minority stress, intersected by gender, race/ethnicity, territory, and religiosity.

Keywords: Mixed methods research, Health and morbidity, Gender, Children and youth

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session P8.