Gender in mental health: Comparison of the rate and social factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among young adult Filipino heterosexual cisgender men and women and LGBT+ individuals

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies showed that Filipino young women have higher rates of certain mental disorders than men, while LGBT+ individuals have higher mental disorders rates than heterosexual cisgender individuals. These differences may be due to their unique social experiences. Despite these, studies that directly compare the rates and social factors of mental health conditions among men, women, and LGBT+ individuals including depression, anxiety, and stress, remain sparse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the rates and social factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among young adult Filipino heterosexual cisgender men and women and LGBT+ individuals. METHODS: This study utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Daily Discrimination Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) to determine the difference between the rates and social factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among the respondents. A total of 959 young Filipino adults completed the questionnaire. Afterward, logistic regression, chi-square, and descriptive statistics were done. RESULTS: LGBT+ respondents experienced the highest rates of significant depression (92.0%), anxiety (93.8%), and stress (81.3%). Discrimination had the largest effect size among men and LGBT+ individuals. While age may be a risk factor for anxiety among heterosexual cisgender males, it was protective for stress among LGBT+ individuals. Working, studying, and living with peers had protective effects against anxiety and stress among heterosexual cisgender men and women. CONCLUSION: Rates and factors of depression, anxiety, and stress varied according to gender. This variation may be accounted for by unique social experiences and contexts including violence, discrimination, cultural expectations, and social roles. Thus, gender-sensitive mental healthcare may need to extend beyond binary views limited to men and women.