Volume 224 - Published ahead of Issue 11
Factors Associated With Social and Emotional Wellbeing Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ Young People
Authors: Bep Uink, Shakara Liddelow-Hunt, Benjamin Harrap, Kate Daglas, James H. L. Hill, Lily Hayward, Braden Hill, Yael Perry, Ashleigh Lin
Correspondence: s.liddelowhunt@latrobe.edu.au
Med J Aust 2026 || doi: 10.5694/mja2.70333
Published online: 11 November 2026
Published online: 11 November 2026
Abstract
Objective
To explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/questioning, and Asexual (LGBTQA+) young people's social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and examine associations between SEWB and positive media representation, family and community LGBTQA+ identity acceptance and experiences of racism and queerphobia.
Study Type
Cross-sectional survey.
Setting
Online survey conducted between February and July 2022.
Participants
Convenience sample of 619 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ young people (14–25 years).
Main Outcome Measures
The SEWB (Connection to Mind and Emotions; Spirit, Spirituality and Ancestors; Country; Culture; Community; Family and Kinship; and Body) assessed across 15 wellbeing outcomes. The Direction of relationships between demographics, risk and protective factors and wellbeing outcomes.
Results
Women had better wellbeing outcomes compared with men. Trans participants reported greater pride in their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity and more frequent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ event participation compared with cisgender participants. Acceptance of LGBTQA+ identity was consistently associated with positive wellbeing outcomes. Queerphobia was associated with lower Connection to Community whereas LGBTQA+ racism and relationship racism were associated with greater Connection to Culture, Country, Community, Spirit, Spirituality and Ancestors, and greater pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity. Participants with a disability or chronic health condition had lower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community event participation, lower Connection to Country and worse physical health.
Conclusion
Wellbeing can be enhanced by facilitating connection to supportive communities, fair media representation and building acceptance of LGBTQA+ identities within family and community.
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