Increase in Depression and Anxiety Among Australian Gay and Bisexual Men During COVID-19 Restrictions: Findings from a Prospective Online Cohort Study

We examined depression and anxiety prior to and during COVID-19 restrictions in Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM). In an online cohort, a COVID-19-focused survey was conducted in April 2020. During 2019 and in April 2020, 664 GBM completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, measuring depression) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7, measuring anxiety). Increased depression and anxiety were defined as a ≥ 5 point increase on the respective scales. Mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores increased between 2019 and 2020 (PHQ-9: from 5.11 in 2019 to 6.55 in 2020; GAD-7: from 3.80 in 2019 to 4.95 in 2020). The proportion of participants with moderate-severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) increased from 18.8% (n = 125) to 25.5% (n = 169), while the proportion of participants with moderate-severe anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10) increased from 12.7% (n = 84) to 17.3% (n = 115). Almost one-quarter of participants (n = 158, 23.8%) had increased depression; in these men, mean PHQ-9 increased from 2.49 in 2019 to 11.65 in 2020 (p < 0.001). One-in-five (20.6%) participants (n = 137) had increased anxiety; among these men, mean GAD-7 increased from 2.05 in 2019 to 10.22 in 2020 (p < 0.001). Increases were associated with concerns about job security, reduction in social and sexual connections and opportunities, and being personally concerned about COVID-19 itself. COVID-19 appeared to have a sudden and pronounced impact on depression and anxiety in Australian GBM, with a significant minority showing sharp increases. Ongoing monitoring is required to determine longer-term impacts and GBM need access to appropriate and sensitive supports both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Unravelling identity: immigrants, identity and citizenship in Australia

In this book you will hear immigrants&#039; voices as they share with us their life stories, their migration experiences and citizenship decisions. The exploration of identity issues provides valuable insights into the patterns that immigrant group identity takes on and shows how it emerges as pluralistic rather than unitary

Gay Community Periodic Survey: Melbourne 2018

The Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey (GCPS) is a cross-sectional survey of gay and homosexually active men recruited from a range of gay community sites in Melbourne. The major aim of the survey is to provide data on sexual, drug use and testing practices related to the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among gay men

Gay Community Periodic Survey: Melbourne 2017

The Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey (GCPS) is a cross-sectional survey of gay and homosexually active men recruited from a range of gay community sites in Melbourne. The major aim of the survey is to provide data on sexual, drug use and testing practices related to thetransmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) among gay men