Queer younger adults report extra emotional, psychological, bodily issues than straight friends

Lesbian, homosexual and bisexual adults aged 18 to 25 are more likely than their heterosexual friends to report psychological, emotional and bodily issues, in keeping with a brand new ballot.

In the most recent Gallup survey, 71% of non-heterosexual younger grownup respondents mentioned they skilled anxiousness “a lot of the day yesterday,” in comparison with 52% of straight respondents. The polling firm reported Thursday that whereas 80% of heterosexual younger adults skilled happiness the day gone by, about 65% of their non-straight friends felt the identical.

The survey additionally discovered that 63% of straight younger adults described their emotional and psychological well-being as “good” or “excellent,” in comparison with 38% of queer younger adults. 

While 69% of heterosexuals described their bodily well being as “good” or “excellent,” solely half of their non-straight friends mentioned the identical.

Health issues have risen steadily in younger grownup surveys since 2006 and had been “likely exacerbated” through the COVID-19 pandemic, Gallup famous. The firm didn’t say why the problems have impacted lesbian, homosexual and bisexual younger adults extra harshly.

“While mental, emotional and physical health issues have increased among all Americans, results from the Gallup-Walton Family Foundation American Youth Survey confirm that Gen Z members of the LGB community are experiencing these negative emotions at an even higher rate than their peers,” Gallup mentioned.

The newest survey additionally discovered that 42% of lesbian, homosexual and bisexual younger adults reported experiencing disappointment “a lot of the day yesterday,” in comparison with 34% of their straight friends. Additionally, 38% of queer respondents mentioned they skilled loneliness the day earlier than finishing the survey, in comparison with 32% of heterosexual friends.

On the difficulty of stress, 76% of queer respondents mentioned they skilled it for a lot of the day gone by, in comparison with 68% of straight respondents.

The firm performed a randomized nationwide internet survey of three,114 members of its Gallup Panel internet survey aged 12 to 25 between April 24 and May 8. Among 820 younger grownup respondents aged 18 to 25, 543 had been straight or heterosexual and 239 had been homosexual, lesbian, bisexual or one other non-heterosexual orientation.