(PS8-56) The Impact of Statewide Anti-equality Laws on Social Anxiety in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations

Anti-LGB+ legislation has increased dramatically in recent years (Peele, 2023). While same-sex marriage is federally recognized, other rights pertinent to LGB+ individuals are at risk (e.g., sports participation for gender diverse people; education on sexuality and gender). Discriminatory policies contribute to increased prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in LGB+ people (Hatzenbuehler, 2010). In particular, discriminatory laws may increase feelings of ostracism and loneliness among LGB+, which can exacerbate social anxiety (Elmer, 2022). To examine the mental health impact of anti-LGB+ policies, the present study examines how social anxiety symptoms among LGB+ individuals and heterosexual individuals differ based on the presence of state anti-equality laws. We hypothesize that LGB+ people will report higher social anxiety symptoms than heterosexual individuals, and that this difference will be greatest for  participants who live in states with anti-equality laws. 

Participants (N = 1203; Mage = 35.09 years) completed online measures including the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale. Forty nine percent (49%) of participants identified as LGB+ and 51% as heterosexual. We used the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) state scorecards to determine whether states had anti-equality laws. We categorized states by whether they have laws restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., “anti-bullying laws that prohibit enumeration”). The presence of one or more of these laws delineated our state groupings, resulting in 25 states with anti-equality laws and and 25 without. 

LGB+ individuals reported significantly higher social anxiety symptoms than heterosexual individuals (F(1, 1179) = 59.992, p < .001). Levels of social anxiety symptoms did not significantly differ among those living in states with anti-equality laws versus those living in states without anti-equality laws, regardless of sexual orientation (F(1, 1179) = 1.108, p = .293). We found no significant interaction between sexual orientation and anti-equality laws on social anxiety (F(1, 1179) = 1.761, p</span> = .185). 

Findings align with past research showing that LGB+ people experience higher levels of social anxiety compared to heterosexual individuals. While our results did not support the hypothesis that living in a state with anti-equality laws as an LGB+ individual is associated with increased social anxiety, the implications of state-wide policy on mental health warrant more direct study. Future research could examine other categories of anti-equality laws outlined on the HRC’s scorecards as well as other adverse mental health outcomes. Community connection is central to LGB+ individuals’ support systems, especially in the wake of anti-equality legislation. The presence of supportive communities is important, but they are of little help if LGB+ individuals cannot safely and comfortably access them. This is why the investigation of social anxiety is crucial, as it can be a barrier of entry to these support systems that continue to grow in importance.