Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review
Abstract Background Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) community have greater risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population, however most evidence is from young people. We sought to systematically review and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06556-2 |
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| author | Dunya Tomic Monica O’Dwyer Tessa Keegel Karen Walker-Bone |
| author_facet | Dunya Tomic Monica O’Dwyer Tessa Keegel Karen Walker-Bone |
| author_sort | Dunya Tomic |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) community have greater risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population, however most evidence is from young people. We sought to systematically review and summarise the evidence for the burden and risk of mental health disorders. Methods A PRISMA-compliant literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, and CINAHL for articles published from 2000 to 2024. Quantitative or mixed-methods studies that reported mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ workers were included. Effect measures included prevalence and odds ratios, with variations in mental health across occupations and specific sexual or gender minorities reported where possible. This systematic review was prospectively registered through PROSPERO (CRD42024587605). Results Out of 5736 unique articles screened, 33 articles (32 individual studies) fulfilled eligibility criteria, including 8369 LGBTQ+ workers. Other than studies of sex workers, only 12 studies had research questions specific to LGBTQ+ workers’ mental health. Most studies (30/32) were cross-sectional and reported increased odds of depression, anxiety, or suicidality among LGBTQ+ compared to non-LGBTQ+ workers. Prevalence estimates and methodology varied widely. Factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes among select groups of LGBTQ+ workers included internalised stigma, heterosexism, job stress and low income. We found no studies comparing workers across industries and no studies involving workplace interventions. Conclusions There are limited objective data regarding LGBTQ+ workers’ mental health. Given the heterogeneity of the LGBTQ+ population, dedicated longitudinal research into the mental health of specific sexual and gender minorities across all industries and occupations is needed to determine causal factors, the impact of intersectionality, and the effectiveness of workplace interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9bd55883d7304746b504cb2cb47602dd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-9bd55883d7304746b504cb2cb47602dd2025-08-20T02:48:18ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-02-0125111810.1186/s12888-025-06556-2Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic reviewDunya Tomic0Monica O’Dwyer1Tessa Keegel2Karen Walker-Bone3Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityMonash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityMonash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityMonash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityAbstract Background Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) community have greater risk of mental health disorders compared to the general population, however most evidence is from young people. We sought to systematically review and summarise the evidence for the burden and risk of mental health disorders. Methods A PRISMA-compliant literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, and CINAHL for articles published from 2000 to 2024. Quantitative or mixed-methods studies that reported mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ workers were included. Effect measures included prevalence and odds ratios, with variations in mental health across occupations and specific sexual or gender minorities reported where possible. This systematic review was prospectively registered through PROSPERO (CRD42024587605). Results Out of 5736 unique articles screened, 33 articles (32 individual studies) fulfilled eligibility criteria, including 8369 LGBTQ+ workers. Other than studies of sex workers, only 12 studies had research questions specific to LGBTQ+ workers’ mental health. Most studies (30/32) were cross-sectional and reported increased odds of depression, anxiety, or suicidality among LGBTQ+ compared to non-LGBTQ+ workers. Prevalence estimates and methodology varied widely. Factors associated with adverse mental health outcomes among select groups of LGBTQ+ workers included internalised stigma, heterosexism, job stress and low income. We found no studies comparing workers across industries and no studies involving workplace interventions. Conclusions There are limited objective data regarding LGBTQ+ workers’ mental health. Given the heterogeneity of the LGBTQ+ population, dedicated longitudinal research into the mental health of specific sexual and gender minorities across all industries and occupations is needed to determine causal factors, the impact of intersectionality, and the effectiveness of workplace interventions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06556-2Mental healthDepressionAnxietyLGBTQ+LesbianGay |
| spellingShingle | Dunya Tomic Monica O’Dwyer Tessa Keegel Karen Walker-Bone Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review BMC Psychiatry Mental health Depression Anxiety LGBTQ+ Lesbian Gay |
| title | Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review |
| title_full | Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review |
| title_short | Mental health of LGBTQ+ workers: a systematic review |
| title_sort | mental health of lgbtq workers a systematic review |
| topic | Mental health Depression Anxiety LGBTQ+ Lesbian Gay |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06556-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dunyatomic mentalhealthoflgbtqworkersasystematicreview AT monicaodwyer mentalhealthoflgbtqworkersasystematicreview AT tessakeegel mentalhealthoflgbtqworkersasystematicreview AT karenwalkerbone mentalhealthoflgbtqworkersasystematicreview |