Resilience and depression during COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place order among Black sexual diverse individuals

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between resilience and mental health among Black sexual diverse men residing in Atlanta, GA, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minority stressors often impact the well-being of sexual diverse individuals; however, resilience may be an important protective factor against the negative effects of such stressors. A total of 109 participants completed surveys during the 2020 COVID-19 state of emergency, shelter-in-place, and social distancing orders in Georgia. Logistic regression models were utilized to examine the associations between resilience, internalized sexual orientation stigma, and depressive symptoms. The results indicate that nearly half of the participants reported high levels of depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between internalized sexual orientation stigma and depressive symptoms was found to be moderated by resilience. Specifically, higher levels of internalized stigma were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with low and average levels of resilience. These findings emphasize the critical role of resilience in explaining mental health disparities among Black sexual diverse men during large-scale disasters and periods of cultural turmoil. Understanding the complex interplay between resilience, internalized stigma, and mental health can inform targeted interventions and support systems to enhance the well-being of sexual diverse individuals in similar contexts.