Exploring the Relationship Between Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Mental Health Symptom Severity: A Statistical Analysis

Abstract

In recent years, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have become a significant concern, particularly among gender and sexual minorities. This paper explores the relationship between gender, sexual orientation, and mental health symptom severity using data from a U.S. national Household Pulse Survey. The dataset “Indicators of Anxiety or Depression Based on Reported Frequency of Symptoms During Last 7 Days” measures anxiety and depression symptoms based on responses about experiences in the past week during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset spans multiple survey phases, allowing for temporal comparisons and subgroup analysis. This research uses various statistical techniques to investigate symptom differences across gender and sexual identity groups. The findings reveal significant disparities in symptom severity across these subgroups, highlighting the disproportionate mental health burden faced by gender and sexual minorities.