Análise comparativa dos preditores de ansiedade e depressão de pessoas heterossexuais cisgênero e LGBTQIA+ + privadas de liberdade

Abstract

The study aims to compare the predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms among incarcerated cisgender heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This is a cross-sectional and correlational study with descriptive and analytical components. Data collection was conducted in prison units in the state of Ceará from May 2022 to September 2022. The study population consisted of all individuals from the Prison Units and Public Jails in the state of Ceará. The selected groups included 1,756 cisgender heterosexual individuals and 341 individuals from the LGBTQIA+ group. The data collection instrument included a subset of variables related to sociodemographic, prison, and health indicators, in addition to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire, with sociodemographic characteristics, history of violence, prison system indicators, and health indicators as predictor variables, while anxiety and depression symptoms were the outcome variables. The predictor variables were categorized based on the dimensions of individual, social, and programmatic vulnerability. The study received approval from the Research Ethics Committee. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the incarcerated population was 74.5% among cisgender heterosexual individuals, whereas depression symptoms were found in 76.7% of the LGBTQIA+ group. Furthermore, no statistically significant associations were observed between anxiety and depression symptoms when comparing the groups. However, statistical associations were found between anxiety and depression symptoms and individual, social, and programmatic vulnerabilities in each group. The results highlighted that prior incarceration, previous or current employment status were protective factors against anxiety among cisgender heterosexual individuals, while imprisonment duration, childhood sexual abuse, and prior illicit drug use were vulnerability markers. Regarding depression, risk factors included imprisonment duration, chronic illness, and unstable housing, whereas working in prison and satisfaction with hygiene conditions were protective factors. Among LGBTQIA+ individuals, receiving visits and experiencing police violence were associated with anxiety, while receiving visits was also a vulnerability marker for depression. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by the incarcerated population, identifying key factors influencing health outcomes and guiding interventions to promote a health-supportive environment.