BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults are at increased risk of mental distress in China. To better carry out psychological intervention, it is essential to understand unique patterns of mental distress and their association with childhood abuse/neglect, including experiencing being left behind by migrating parents.
OBJECTIVE: In a sample of Chinese LGB young adults, we examined: (1) associations between childhood abuse and left-behind status and mental distress; (2) latent profiles of mental distress; and (3) associations between childhood abuse and left-behind status and latent profiles of mental distress.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A sample of 630 Chinese LGB young adults aged 18-30years was recruited to complete an online survey.
METHODS: Participants provided demographic information and completed validated measures of childhood abuse experience and mental distress. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify patterns of mental distress, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationships among these variables.
RESULTS: Results showed that all forms of childhood abuse and left-behind status were associated with all dimensions of adulthood mental distress. The LPA suggested a 3-group solution as optimal (no mental distress, mild mental distress, and moderate/severe mental distress). Participants who experienced any forms of childhood abuse were more likely to be members of both the mild mental distress and moderate/severe mental distress groups (all p's<0.001). Also, participants who had left-behind status were more likely to be in the moderate/severe mental distress group (AOR=1.61, p<.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need for interventions aimed at addressing childhood abuse/neglect among Chinese LGB young adults, as these experiences increase the risk for mental health issues in adulthood.
本文作者为亚洲bet356体育社会学与心理学系副教授、硕士生导师，主要研究方向为社会心理学、困境或弱势群体的心理健康。
