Differential Patterns of Mental Health Status Among LGBT+ People in Malaysia: A Brief Report

J Homosex. 2024 Dec 3:1-8. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2433055. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

There are scant LGBT+ studies in Southeast Asia exploring mental health differences across multiple social identities. Using data from the Malaysian KAMI Survey (n = 718), we conducted bivariate regression analyses to investigate the association between sociodemographic backgrounds and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality. Results showed that younger participants, those questioning their sexual orientation (compared to gay or lesbian), cisgender women, trans men, and non-binary individuals (compared to cisgender men) reported significantly higher levels of mental ill-health. Our intercategorical analysis builds a foundation for future intersectional-based research in response to public health challenges for vulnerable LGBT+ groups.

Keywords: LGBT; Malaysia; anxiety; depression; intersectionality; mental health; suicide.