Across the Ages: Mental Health and Coping Resources among LGBTQ2 + Canadians in Adulthood

Abstract:

Prior research has identified mental health disparities among members of LGBTQ2 + communities across the lifespan. Evidence also suggests that sources of stress and health-seeking behaviour vary by axes of diversity, such as sexuality, gender, and age. We investigated how sexuality and gender relate to mental health, stress, and coping abilities across different stages of the lifespan using cross-sectional data from Canada’s 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey (MHACS). Specifically, this study: (1) examined sexual and gender minority disparities in mental health outcomes of depression, anxiety, and emotional well-being across age groups; (2) investigated sources of stress and how gender and sexual minority individuals perceive and respond to stressors, and whether this differs from non-LGBTQ2 + people; and (3) sought to understand mental health help-seeking behaviour, focusing on how LGBTQ2 + identities influence the likelihood of support-seeking across adulthood. Findings from this study will contribute to the expanding body of research on LGBTQ2 + mental health in Canada and internationally, helping to inform the development of tailored mental health interventions that support the well-being of LGBTQ2 + people of all ages.