High rates of loneliness among bisexuals and transgender people

New data shows that transgender and bisexual adults have loneliness rates that are much higher than those of cisgender and heterosexual people. The research is published in the news MMWR. Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report.

2022 federal health data on U.S. adults shows that the highest rates of self-reported loneliness occur among people who identify as bisexual (56.7%) or transgender (numbers range from 56.4% to 63.9%), according to researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That’s compared to the 30.3% of straight people who said they often felt lonely, and the 32.1% of cisgender people who said they were lonely. Cisgender people have a gender identity that matches the identity they were given at birth.

“Addressing the threat to the mental health of sexual and gender minority groups must take into account loneliness and a lack of social and emotional support,” concluded the team led by Katherine Bruss. She works at the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

As Bruss’ team noted, feeling socially connected to others brings “significant health benefits,” including “a sense of belonging and being cared for, valued and supported.”

On the other hand, loneliness has long been linked to ailments such as depression, anxiety, heart disease and diabetes.

Bruss’ group says there is a lack of data on loneliness rates among LBGTQ+ populations.

In the federal government’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults were asked questions such as, “How often do you feel socially isolated from others?” or ‘How often do you get the social and emotional support you need?’ Questions were also asked about their levels of anxiety, depression and feelings of fear.

In addition to high levels of loneliness among bisexuals and transgender people, the data showed that these groups enjoyed less social support. For example, while 22.8% of straight people said they didn’t have enough social support, that number rose to 36.5% among people who identified as bisexual.

The rate of poor social support was 23.8% among cisgender people, but somewhere between 56.4% and 63.9% among transgender people, the study found.

Rates of stress, mental health problems and depression were also significantly higher among bisexual or transgender people than heterosexual/cisgender adults, the study found.

Income was also important: As family income fell, loneliness, stress and the like increased, Bruss’ group reported.

However, all of these negative trends could change, and the researchers believe that “developing environments in communities that are safe spaces for building relationships and support in dealing with loneliness and isolation could be helpful.”

That includes the medical community, where people of all genders and sexualities often turn when a mental health crisis strikes.

“The health care system, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, and other health care settings, can play a role in raising awareness, promoting a welcoming environment, using gender-neutral and inclusive language, and reducing the stigma surrounding loneliness. ‘, says Bruss’ group.

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