The Effects of Social Isolation Measures on LGBT Population: A Cultural Approach

The pandemic forced many countries to impose social isolation measures whose effects must be explored. Previous studies reveal that quarantines do produce effects on mental health (e.g., symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety). These effects could be more pronounced on some populations such as LGBT people who are already going through disadvantageous situations due to existing stigma and discrimination against them. So, this symposium aims to report the findings from a longitudinal intercultural study done in 2020 in Mexico, Chile, Portugal, and Italy, which is intended to evaluate the psychological health of LGBT youngsters and understand the mechanisms underlying it. The symposium also intends to provide a comparative view of the effects of social isolation measures on these countries.