Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: Several articles highlight the central role of minority stress and intersectional experiences in shaping mental health outcomes. Liu's thematic analysis of lesbian and bisexual cisgender women in Chinese higher education provides a nuanced examination of how stigma, invisibility, and cultural expectations intersect to produce psychological distress. Zhang et al.'s study of identity centrality among Chinese sexual minority students further demonstrates how identity-related stressors can function as both protective and risk-enhancing mechanisms depending on context. These studies collectively emphasize the importance of including the sociocultural context when examining LGBTQ+ mental health. Endres and colleagues extend Liu's work by documenting the relationship between psychosocial distress and discrimination among university students. Their findings underscore the need for institutionalized supportive climates that actively counteract stigma and promote inclusion. Educational settings are critical developmental environments, and when they fail to affirm LGBTQ+ identities, they can become sources of chronic stress that reverberate across academic, social, and psychological domains.Structural and systemic factors emerge as equally important determinants of mental health. Meneguzzo et al.'s analysis of psychiatric care for transgender individuals in Italian prisons reveals profound institutional gaps that impede access to affirming treatment. Their work highlights how prison systems lack the policies, training, and resources necessary to support transgender individuals, resulting in unmet mental health needs and heightened vulnerability for this population. Kreysa's conceptual framework expands this structural perspective by illustrating how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate decision-making across health, housing, financial, and service domains, areas where inequities often accumulate and affect well-being. This framework underscores the interconnectedness of social systems and the importance of addressing structural barriers holistically rather than in isolation. Theoretical advancement is reflected in Mary Angelene and Alamelu's extended theory of trans-identity, which reframes gender euphoria as a central construct. By shifting focus from distress to positive identity experiences, this theory offers new directions for psychological research and clinical practice. It encourages scholars and practitioners to consider how joy, affirmation, and embodiment contribute to mental health and resilience among transgender individuals. Several contributions identify promising avenues for expanding research among sexual minority students. Oliveira da Cruz and colleagues explore sports participation as a potential buffer against anxiety and depression among sexual minority students. Their data suggest that inclusive community environments, particularly those that promote physical activity and social connection, may serve as meaningful protective factors against mental distress. Structural and systemic factors also emerge as critical determinants of mental health. Meneguzzo et al.'s analysis of psychiatric care for transgender individuals in Italian prisons highlights the importance of considering physiological and behavioral factors alongside social and identity-related stressors.Complementing these empirical insights, Mathews and collaborators emphasize the need to prepare nursing students to deliver culturally competent mental healthcare. Their narrative review underscores that expanding access to affirming services requires not only policy change but also workforce development. Training future clinicians to understand LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and needs is essential to reduce disparities and improve care quality.In summary, this special issue contributes important data that advances the field of mental health among LGBTQ+ individuals by illuminating barriers, broadening theoretical and empirical understanding, and highlighting innovative strategies that support LGBTQ+ mental health. The contributing authors reflect the commitment of mental health scholars to generate evidence that informs practice, policy, and strengthens psychological well-being. As research continues to evolve, the contributions in this special issue underscore the importance of sustained, interdisciplinary engagement in addressing mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals. The global scope of the included articles demonstrates that while cultural contexts differ, many challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals are shared globally.We hope this special issue stimulates further inquiry, fosters collaboration across fields, and supports the development of environments where LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive. The evidence presented here affirms that advancing LGBTQ+ mental health is not only a scientific imperative but also a matter of advancing equity, dignity, and human rights. Continued research, advocacy, and innovation are essential for building systems of care that recognize the full diversity of LGBTQ+ lives and experiences.
Source: Frontiers in Public Health
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7223083758