Self-Management, Outness, Anxiety, Depression and Minority Stress in LGBTQ+ Adolescents: Results From an Online Survey

Abstract Aims: Previous research has established a relationship between self-management and better emotional health. However, self-management has not been explored amongst LGBTQ+ adolescents, who are more likely to have a mental health difficulty than their non-LGBTQ+ peers, but less likely to access specialist mental health services. Furthermore, self-management has not been investigated as a mediator or a moderator of the established relationships between outness and minority stress and emotional health difficulties. This study aims to clarify the relationships between these topics to inform early interventions involving self-management. Methods: Data were collected via an anonymous online survey on REDCap. Participants completed validated measures of outness, anxiety, depression, minority stress, and self-management, as well as demographics. Data were analysed in SPSS 25. Results and Conclusions: 3,541 participants aged 16 to 25 completed all or part of the survey. Significant correlations were observed between outness and depression, self-management and anxiety/depression, and minority stress and anxiety/depression. Self-management significantly moderated the relationship between outness and depression. Self-management significantly mediated the relationship between minority stress and depression, but not anxiety. Greater capacity to self-manage had a larger impact on depression for participants experiencing low minority stress compared to those experiencing higher levels of minority stress. Future self-management interventions should consider targeting LGBTQ+ young people experiencing lower levels of minority stress. Greater financial support and systemic prioritisation of self-management interventions is needed, particularly for LGBTQ+ adolescents.