How do stigma based discriminating legislation and cultural norms influence the health and life circumstances of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals across 28 European countries?

Research has found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals represent a disproportionately high-risk population for poor mental health, some physical health concerns, and other indicators of poor life satisfaction.

Clear and consistent evidence locates the source of this disparity in LGBT individuals’ disproportionate exposure to stigma and associated stress compared to cisgender heterosexuals.

Stigma can occur at a structural level (e.g., unjust laws), interpersonal level (e.g., discrimination and victimization), and individual level (e.g., identity concealment) to compromise LGBT individuals´ health and wellbeing.Using two large and unique datasets with participants from 28 European countries: EU-LGBT-Survey 2012 (n=93,079) and EU-LGBTI-Survey 2019 (n=141,621), we want to explore the association between structural, interpersonal, and individual forms of stigma towards LGBT individuals and health-related variables (life satisfaction, depression symptoms, and self-rated health).

By analyzing data from these unique sources, we will examine several previously unanswered questions, e.g.: Is the risk of depression higher among LGBT people living in countries without same-sex marriage legislation?

Has life satisfaction improved among LGBT folks living in countries that have changed their discriminating legislation between 2012 and 2019?

Can the difference in life satisfaction and health between countries and over time be explained by differences in concerns about living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or trans person?Through comparing data across time from different countries with great variation in acceptance and discriminating legislation, our proposed project will be able to make unique contributions to our understanding of how structural factors influence inequalities in society.

These studies will also be some of the first to explore the mechanisms through which structural factors lead to unequal life circumstances, wellbeing, and health.