Covid-19 and LGBT+ youth: social isolation and use of dating apps

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v24i1.e13543

Keywords:

sexual minorities, gender minorities, Covid-19, young people, dating apps, social isolation

Abstract

LGBT+ young people are especially vulnerable to distress. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the perception of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of dating apps by LGBT+ young people. It also aimed to understand the factors related to the use of these platforms and the perception of LGBT+ young people about social isolation. An online survey was carried out in Brazil with 816 LGBT+ young people aged between 18 and 32 years old. A questionnaire proposed by the authors was used to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives, the perception of social isolation, and the use of dating apps and other related platforms. LGBT+ young people feel emotionally affected by social isolation, and there is evidence of significant family discomfort regarding their LGBT+ identity. The use of dating apps was not associated with a higher break in social isolation; their use was strongly characterized as a mechanism of social interaction. The study highlighted specificities of social isolation for LGBT+ young people, mainly related to their mental health. Furthermore, dating apps were presented as a tool for coping and social interaction.

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Author Biographies

Mozer de Miranda Ramos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracajú, Sergipe, Brasil

Doutor (2023) e Mestre (2019) em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Graduado em Psicologia (2016). Professor de Psicologia, psicólogo clínico e social. Comprometido com a Terapia Afirmativa LGBTQ+.

Elder Cerqueira-Santos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracajú, Sergipe, Brasil

Doutor em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, com estágio na Universidade de Nebraska, EUA. Pós-Doutorado na Universidade de Toronto, Canadá. Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia da Universidade Federal de Sergipe

Rodrigo de Oliveira Machado, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Psicólogo e Mestre em Psicologia Social pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Doutor pela Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Pós-doutorado pela Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS).

Gustavo Figueiredo Passos, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Aracajú, Sergipe, Brasil

Médico e Técnico em redes de computadores pelo Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Sergipe.

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Published

2024-03-14

How to Cite

Ramos, M. de M., Cerqueira-Santos, E., Machado, R. de O., & Passos, G. F. (2024). Covid-19 and LGBT+ youth: social isolation and use of dating apps. Revista Subjetividades, 24(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5020/23590777.rs.v24i1.e13543

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