Family Functioning and Mental Health Among Young Adult <scp>LGBP</scp> People: A Latent Profile Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are the most common mental health concerns among people of a minority sexual orientation. Families play a vital role in promoting the well‐being of individuals. Despite the acknowledged importance of family, the relationship between family functioning and the well‐being outcomes of LGBP individuals has remained unexplored. Method This study examined the relationship between family functioning and the mental health of LGBP young adults ( n = 265). Mental health was assessed using a general health questionnaire, and suicidal ideation was also measured. Results Based on an assessment of family cohesion and adaptability, latent class analysis identified four family types: Unbalanced, Chaotically Enmeshed, Midrange, and Balanced. Significant differences were found between the family types, with participants in the Balanced and Midrange families experiencing fewer psychological symptoms than those in the Unbalanced and Chaotically Enmeshed families. Increased suicidal ideation was only found in the Chaotically Enmeshed family. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance of supportive intra‐family dynamics in fostering greater LGBP individual well‐being.