During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing measures to prevent transmission of the virus have been implemented. The effect of physical distancing measures on loneliness especially for vulnerable groups remained unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate loneliness in relation with depressive symptoms among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, inter, asexual, and queer (LGBT) persons compared with cis-heterosexual persons during the pandemic. We conducted an online survey during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The survey contained self-categorizations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, questions on loneliness, social contacts, depressive symptoms, and healthcare. Descriptive and regression analysis and propensity score matching across cohorts was conducted using R; 2641 participants took part in first wave of the survey and 4143 participants in the second wave. The proportion of lonely people was higher in the second wave compared with the first wave. LGBT persons were more lonely than cis-heterosexual persons. In both waves, being LGBT was associated with depressive symptoms, but loneliness mediated the effect, even when adjusting for social contacts. Psychologists and other practitioners should be aware that LGBT clients might have an increased risk for loneliness and depressive symptoms and of the potential burden of the pandemic measures.

中文翻译：

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在德国应对 COVID-19 大流行的身体疏远措施中，孤独和抑郁症状因性取向和性别认同而异

在 COVID-19 大流行期间，已实施物理疏远措施以防止病毒传播。身体疏远措施对孤独感的影响，尤其是对弱势群体的孤独感，仍不清楚。因此，我们旨在调查大流行期间女同性恋、男同性恋、双性恋、跨性别者、跨性别者、无性恋者和酷儿 (LGBT) 与顺式异性恋者的孤独感与抑郁症状的关系。我们在德国 COVID-19 大流行的前两波期间进行了在线调查。该调查包含有关性取向和性别认同的自我分类、有关孤独感、社交接触、抑郁症状和医疗保健的问题。使用 R 进行跨队列的描述性和回归分析以及倾向得分匹配；第一波调查有 2641 名参与者，第二波有 4143 名参与者。与第一波相比，第二波孤独者的比例更高。LGBT 人比顺式异性恋者更孤独。在这两波浪潮中，作为 LGBT 都与抑郁症状有关，但孤独感介导了这种影响，即使在调整社交接触时也是如此。心理学家和其他从业者应该意识到，LGBT 客户可能会增加孤独感和抑郁症状的风险，并意识到大流行措施的潜在负担。但孤独感介导了这种影响，即使在调整社交接触时也是如此。心理学家和其他从业者应该意识到，LGBT 客户可能会增加孤独感和抑郁症状的风险，并意识到大流行措施的潜在负担。但孤独感介导了这种影响，即使在调整社交接触时也是如此。心理学家和其他从业者应该意识到，LGBT 客户可能会增加孤独感和抑郁症状的风险，并意识到大流行措施的潜在负担。