Abstract
In western countries, discriminatory institutional and legislative policies have been implicated in observed mental inequalities among LGBT populations. In Thailand, the policies supportive of LGBT civil rights have been rejected. However, studies examining the mental health of LGBT individuals in Thailand are limited. Here we report on one of the first comprehensive studies of mental health among non-heterosexual men in Thailand. Standardized measures were selected (demographics, stress, loneliness, depression, discrimination, and suicidality). The cross-sectional descriptive study took place in 2018 in collaboration with LGBT organizations. Study data were recruited by convenience and snowball samplings using online and in-person formats. Descriptive and multivariate models were used. Among the 353 participants, the majority of participants were 29.57 years old (S.D. = 7.30) and reported being homosexual (85.8%) and cisgender (77.1%). Study participants were generally well-educated (60% college educated), lived in the central region (40.4%), and reported monthly incomes less than $660 (49.6%). Approximately half of study participants reported moderate to very severe stress levels (56.9%, M = 5.53, SD = 3.47) and moderate to severe loneliness levels (42.8%, M = 1.93, SD = .55). Forty percent of the sample reported clinically significant levels of depression. Indicators of suicidality were common with 38.5% reporting lifetime suicidal ideation, 18.1% reporting past 12-month suicidal ideation, and 12.5% reporting a suicide attempt. Experiences with discrimination predicted lifetime suicidal ideation (OR = 1.12, p < .05). Increased advocacy for institutional and policy level changes is needed to improve the health and well-being of Thai LGBT individuals.
Presenters
Priyoth KittiteerasackAssistant Professor, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
LGBT, Mental health, Minority stressors, Thailand
