The Intersection Between Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies and Health Outcomes for LGBTQ+ Adults in Poland
1
1 Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
2
2 School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2764
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
From 2019 – 2024, ILGA-Europe found Poland to be the worst country in the EU for LGBTQ+ rights (1). Polish law lacks protections against discrimination in health, education, or housing due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Since 2020, politicians have targeted LGBTQ+ Poles, including through the establishment of “LGBT-free zones” across nearly a third of Poland (2). Stigmatization profoundly impacts healthcare-seeking behavior and health outcomes. Minority Stress Theory is the high degree of chronic stress minority groups experience due to structural inequalities, where experiences with discrimination cause negative mental health outcomes, widening the disparity of health status between LGBTQ+ populations against other groups.
METHODS:
Survey data was collected from January-February 2025 from LGBTQ+ adults age 18+ who spoke Polish, using a snowball sampling method for recruitment. No prerequisites were required for participation, and no incentives were offered for completion. No identifying information was collected, only demographic characteristic data and items from selected mental health questionnaires. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Ver.29, computing independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA analyses to assess the data.
RESULTS:
151 responses were received, of which 129 responses were deemed suitable for analysis. Participant ages ranged from 18-63 years, with 83% of respondents age 40 years and younger. 71.3% of the respondents had moderate or high stress levels, 65.5% of respondents had depressed mood, and 51.2% of respondents had possible PTSD. Poorer mental health across all scales was found for respondents who indicated plans to leave Poland.
CONCLUSIONS:
The data shows the high prevalence of mental distress within the sample of LGBTQ+ Poles. Collecting data from more respondents, especially non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals, would allow for deeper analysis between groups. Areas for future research includes comparing mental health data between LGBTQ+ and cisgender heterosexual respondents and examining specific health barriers.
From 2019 – 2024, ILGA-Europe found Poland to be the worst country in the EU for LGBTQ+ rights (1). Polish law lacks protections against discrimination in health, education, or housing due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Since 2020, politicians have targeted LGBTQ+ Poles, including through the establishment of “LGBT-free zones” across nearly a third of Poland (2). Stigmatization profoundly impacts healthcare-seeking behavior and health outcomes. Minority Stress Theory is the high degree of chronic stress minority groups experience due to structural inequalities, where experiences with discrimination cause negative mental health outcomes, widening the disparity of health status between LGBTQ+ populations against other groups.
METHODS:
Survey data was collected from January-February 2025 from LGBTQ+ adults age 18+ who spoke Polish, using a snowball sampling method for recruitment. No prerequisites were required for participation, and no incentives were offered for completion. No identifying information was collected, only demographic characteristic data and items from selected mental health questionnaires. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Ver.29, computing independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA analyses to assess the data.
RESULTS:
151 responses were received, of which 129 responses were deemed suitable for analysis. Participant ages ranged from 18-63 years, with 83% of respondents age 40 years and younger. 71.3% of the respondents had moderate or high stress levels, 65.5% of respondents had depressed mood, and 51.2% of respondents had possible PTSD. Poorer mental health across all scales was found for respondents who indicated plans to leave Poland.
CONCLUSIONS:
The data shows the high prevalence of mental distress within the sample of LGBTQ+ Poles. Collecting data from more respondents, especially non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals, would allow for deeper analysis between groups. Areas for future research includes comparing mental health data between LGBTQ+ and cisgender heterosexual respondents and examining specific health barriers.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
