Experiences of discrimination in healthcare settings, trust in providers and disordered eating behaviors in LGBTQ plus college students

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals report more experiences of healthcare discrimination and disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), and less trust in physicians than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. Although research supports a link between discrimination and DEBs among LGBTQ+ populations, few studies have specifically investigated healthcare discrimination and DEBs in this population. This study examined whether LGBTQ+ status moderated the relation between negative healthcare experiences and DEBs in undergraduates. Undergraduates (n = 322) from a Southeastern (United States) university completed measures of healthcare discrimination, trust in physicians, and DEBs. Analyses investigated whether LGBTQ+ status moderated the relation between healthcare discrimination and DEBs; trust in physicians and DEBs. LGBTQ+ individuals (35% of sample), reported less trust in physicians (p < .001), and more body dissatisfaction (p = .007) and shape/weight overvaluation (p = .008). Among all undergraduates, experiences of healthcare discrimination were associated with higher body dissatisfaction (p = .003) and shape/weight overvaluation (p = .008). Less trust in physicians was associated with greater shape/weight overvaluation (p = .005). LGBTQ+ status did not moderate either relation. It is important to reduce healthcare discrimination and foster patient-provider trust for all young adults. Future research should examine factors influencing patient-provider trust among LGBTQ+ individuals.