PREDICTIONS OF DEPRESSION AND SEXUAL STIGMA FOR MOTIVATION TO VACCINATE AGAINST COVID-19 AMONG YOUNG ADULT LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL INDIVIDUALS: A FOUR-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract Background Vaccination is one of important ways to prevent contracting COVID-19. Predictors of motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 among lesbian, gay, and lesbian (LGB) individuals have been seldom studied. Aims & Objectives The aims of the present study were to examine the predictive effects of depression and the experiences of sexual stigma (i.e., perceived sexual stigma from family members, internalized sexual stigma, and sexual microaggression) before the COVID-19 pandemic on motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 among LGB individuals four years later during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Method The baseline data of depression and sexual stigma were collected in 2018 and 2019. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Perceived sexual stigma from family members was assessed using the Homosexuality-Related Stigma Scale. Internalized sexual stigma was assessed using the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men. Sexual microaggression was assessed using the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory. Participants’ motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic were surveyed using the 9-item Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination. The associations of depression and sexual stigma at baseline with motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 at follow-up were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results Internalized sexual stigma was negatively associated with motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19, whereas sexual microaggression was positively associated with motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19. Depression and perceived sexual stigma from family members were not significantly associated with motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19. Although being male and older age were positively associated with greater motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19, gender and age did not moderate the associations of sexual stigma with motivation to vaccinate. Discussion & Conclusion Internalized sexual stigma and sexual microaggression were significantly associated with motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 with different directions. Intervention strategies for enhancing motivation to vaccinate against COVID-19 in LGB individuals should be developed with consideration of the experiences of sexual stigma.