Social support was modestly linked with fewer mental health difficulties in sexual and gender minorities
Across studies, greater support was associated most strongly with lower depression measures, but the review does not establish that support itself caused better mental health.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The abstract reports a small association between greater social support and fewer mental health difficulties among sexual and gender minority people. The relationship was strongest for depression and weaker for suicidality. This evidence concerns associations across studies; it does not establish that increasing support will cause symptoms to improve or prevent self-harm or suicide.
The abstract does not describe study designs, follow-up periods or adjustment for other influences. Without those details, the direction of the relationship and the reasons behind it cannot be determined from this summary.
What counted as support
The review considered support from family, friends, partners, schools and workplaces. Outcomes included depression, anxiety, self-injury without suicidal intent and suicidality, so the pooled result spans several distinct experiences rather than a single diagnosis.
Where results varied
The association appeared across many demographic groups and minority identities. It was smaller in samples with a higher proportion of bisexual people, and the relationship with structural stigma differed between European and American studies. The authors found no indication of publication bias.
The original publication
Social support and internalizing psychopathology among sexual and gender minority individuals: A meta-analysis.
Katz BA, Mutlu M, Kharbanda AA et al.
Clin Psychol Rev · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41364999
- Record checked
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