Sexual-orientation based discrimination is associated with anxiety and depression in young physicians. A national study.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The professional risk factors for depression and anxiety are underexplored in young physicians. While there has been increasing research on the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, few studies have examined the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual young physicians. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Sexual Orientation-Based Discrimination (SOBD) in French young physicians and if SOBD was associated with increased anxiety and depression in this population. METHOD: This national study is a cross-sectional observational epidemiological national study. The participants were recruited between April 1st 2019 and June 31st 2019. One question with binary answer was asked on SOBD. Mental health was assessed by Hamilton Anxiety & Depression scales. RESULTS: On the 2003 participants, 148 (7%) reported SOBD exposure, 647 (32%) current anxiety disorders and 174 (9%) a current major depressive disorder according to their HAD score. SOBD was almost twice more frequently reported in participants with anxiety disorder and major depression (respectively 10%,vs 6% and 12% vs. 7%, p<0.05). In the first model of multivariate analyses, current anxiety disorder was significantly associated with being woman (adjusted odds ratio aOR=1.688, 95%CI 1.350-2.110, p<0.001) and SOBD (aOR=1.729, 95%CI 1.226-2.440, p=0.002). In the second model of multivariate analyses, current major depression was significantly associated with only SOBD (aOR=1.748, 95%CI 1.057-2.888, p=0.029). CONCLUSION: SOBD has been associated with increased rates of anxiety disorder and major depression in young physicians and should be targeted in mental health prevention programs.