LGBTQ+ Identifying Individuals With Migration Background and Mental Health: Factors Related to Psychological Symptoms and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between ethno-cultural identity conflict, sense of societal community, sense of LGBTQ+ community, and both psychological symptoms and life satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem among LGBTQ+ identifying individuals with migration background. Increased ethno-cultural identity conflict and decreased sense of societal- and LGBTQ+ community were hypothesized to be associated with more psychological symptoms and decreased life satisfaction via (low) self-esteem. In total, 94 participants between 18 and 35 years completed an online questionnaire consisting of the relevant study variables. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed that both lower sense of societal community and greater ethno-cultural identity conflict were significantly correlated with both decreased life satisfaction and more psychological symptoms. Greater ethno-cultural identity conflict and lower sense of societal community were significantly correlated with lower self-esteem. Lower self-esteem was significantly correlated with lower life satisfaction and more psychological symptoms. Mediation analyses revealed that these associations were partly mediated by self-esteem. The findings highlight the promotion of the internalization of two cultures, social support, and community belonging among LGBTQ+ identifying individuals with migration background to protect their mental health and enhance life satisfaction. Implications for clinical practice and future directions are discussed.