COVID-19 health behaviors in a sexual minority sample: The impact of internalized stigma.

Abstract

COVID-19 has been identified as a public health crisis that can be avoided by preventative health behaviors such as social distancing, the use of a cloth face covering when in public, and regular handwashing or sanitizing Although identifying predictors of preventive health behaviors related to COVID-19 is important across the general population, it may be especially pertinent in marginalized populations including sexual and gender minorities particularly due to the role of minority stress and internalized stigma in predicting health behaviors The purpose of this study was to expand the current COVID-19 literature to investigate whether internalized stigma regarding sexual orientation and gender minority status may impact COVID-19 preventative health behaviors For all the COVID-19 health behaviors examined, internalized stigma and gender minority status accounted for significantly more variance than predictors that were not specific to sexual or gender minority status However, different facets of internalized sexual minority predicted varying preventative health behaviors For instance, sexuality dissatisfaction predicted leaving home for nonessential reasons whereas belief in negative stereotypes predicted less frequent handwashing and less use of face masks and social distancing in public places Furthermore, sexual minority participants had significantly more fear of COVID-19 and anxiety about potentially spreading COVID-19 to others than heterosexual participants, and, although their engagement in preventative health behaviors was equivalent, the patterns of predictors differed between heterosexual and sexual minority individuals (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Although heterosexual and sexual minority individuals have similar levels of engagement in COVID-19 preventative health behaviors (e g , handwashing and mask wearing), the predictors of health behavior engagement differ between groups Internalized stigma is related to less adherence to COVID-19 preventative health behaviors in sexual minorities and uniquely accounts for these outcomes above and beyond variables that are not specific to sexual orientation of gender identity (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)