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Problematic Smartphone Use and Its Associations with Sexual Minority Stressors, Gender Nonconformity, and Mental Health Problems among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan

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  • Mei-Feng Huang

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Ping Chang

    (School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA)

  • Wei-Hsin Lu

    (Department of Psychiatry, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi 60002, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
    College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan)

Abstract

Smartphones are a necessity for many people; however, problematic smartphone use (PSU) may negatively influence people’s mental health. Using multivariate linear regression analysis, the study examined the associations of sexual minority stressors [namely perceived sexual stigma from family members, sexual orientation microaggressions (SOMs), and internalized sexual stigma] and gender nonconformity with PSU severity as well as the associations of PSU with depression and anxiety in young adult lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. This cross-sectional survey study recruited 1000 young adult LGB individuals (500 men and 500 women). PSU severity was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Inventory. The experiences of perceived sexual stigma from family members, SOMs, and internalized sexual stigma and the levels of gender nonconformity, depression, and anxiety were assessed. The results indicated that perceived sexual stigma from family members, SOMs, internalized sexual stigma in the dimensions of social discomfort and identity and gender nonconformity were significantly associated with PSU severity in LGB individuals. Moreover, PSU was significantly associated with depression and anxiety in LGB individuals. The findings highlight the significance of developing strategies for the prevention and early detection of PSU and sexual minority stress in LGB individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Mei-Feng Huang & Yu-Ping Chang & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Problematic Smartphone Use and Its Associations with Sexual Minority Stressors, Gender Nonconformity, and Mental Health Problems among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5780-:d:811847
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meng-Tsang Hsieh & Jung-Sheng Chen & Chung-Ying Lin & Cheng-Fang Yen & Mark D. Griffiths & Yu-Te Huang, 2021. "Measurement Invariance of the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory across LGB Males and Females in Taiwan: Bifactor Structure Fits the Best," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Cheng-Fang Yen & Yu-Te Huang & Marc N. Potenza & Tzu-Tung Tsai & Chung-Ying Lin & Hector W. H. Tsang, 2021. "Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men (MISS-LG) in Taiwan: Psychometric Evidence from Rasch and Confirmatory Factor Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Juyeong Lee & Woosung Kim, 2021. "Prediction of Problematic Smartphone Use: A Machine Learning Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Sarah Kent & Ciara Masterson & Raian Ali & Christine E. Parsons & Bridgette M. Bewick, 2021. "Digital Intervention for Problematic Smartphone Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Chien-Chuan Wang & Ray C. Hsiao & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Victimization of Traditional and Cyber Bullying During Childhood and Their Correlates Among Adult Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-14, November.
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