LGBTQ+ Media Exposure Frequency: Relations with Mental Health and Life Satisfaction

J Homosex. 2025 Jun 17:1-13. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2025.2521025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to investigate the relations of LGBTQ+ media exposure frequency on psychological distress (anxiety, depression and stress) and life satisfaction. Aiming data comparison, the sample was composed of 722 Brazilians (23.73 years, SD = 11.33, SE = 0.42), with 59.4% being LGBTQ+ and 40.6% heterosexual. Data were collected online during 2023. Consuming media with positive representation more frequently was negatively related to psychological distress in LGBTQ+ participants. On the other hand, negative representation increased stress in both LGBTQ+ and heterosexual participants. Finally, we observed both direct and indirect associations with life satisfaction of LGBTQ+ participants. This was the first study to show data regarding the different relations of negative and positive representation on psychological distress and life satisfaction. This data shows that how media representation is presented matters: considering the relationship between positive representation and mental health indicators, campaigns and messages aimed at sexual minorities can focus on these aspects, in order to generate positive effects on the target audience.

PMID:40525865 | DOI:10.1080/00918369.2025.2521025