Dual-continual examination and differential prediction of well-being and distress in LGBTQIA+ populations

Although studies on the dual-continua model have demonstrated that distress and well-being are two separate but interrelated factors of mental health, only limited research exists regarding these concepts for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual+ (LGBTQIA+) individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the factor structure of mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community. The second aim was to investigate whether different correlates are relevant for the prediction of well-being and psychological distress in LGBTQIA+ individuals when these mental health outcomes are considered separately. LGBTQIA+ individuals from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were recruited via collaborating organizations and social media to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Participants (n = 1,686, M_age = 27.74) completed self-report measures of well-being and psychological distress. Included correlates were self-esteem, social support, resilience, and various minority stress factors. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and latent regression analyses. A very strong correlation at the latent level (r = -.82) suggested that well-being and psychological distress refer to opposite poles of mental health in the LGBTQIA+ sample. Different minority stress factors were relevant for the prediction of well-being and distress when these factors were disentangled. The present study highlights the close inverse relation between well-being and distress in LGBTQIA+ individuals. Several correlates were found that could inform tailored counseling for LGBTQIA+ community members, irrespective of whether the focus is on positive or negative aspects of mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).