This study investigates the financial consequences of perceiveddiscrimination towards LGBTQAI+ people in Italy, focusingon psychological support and medication costs. It highlightsthe burden of discriminatory experiences, emphasizing theneed for policies to minimize costs. A cost analysis wasperformed according to the NHS perspective. A purposivesample was recruited through a web-based survey spread onItalian researchers’ social networks, asking any LGBTQAI+readers to answer about discriminatory experiences, access topsychological support, and medication use. Costs of healthservices use were estimated according to the Italian NHS tariffsand Italian Psychologists’ Board. The time horizon was set atone year and discounting was not necessary. Robustness waschecked by a one-way sensitivity analysis. A total of 75LGBTQAI+ people completed the survey. Most of them (aged26-35 years, 85%; residing in big cities, 70%; unaffiliated withLGBTQAI+ associations, 88%) reported discriminative actions(60%), with 15% seeking psychological help soon after beingvictim of a single discriminatory act. Verbal and physical abusewere reported by 88% and 6% respectively. 40% ofrespondents claimed to have resorted to psychotherapysessions because of the discomfort felt after acts perceived asdiscriminatory or violent, amounting to 810 total therapyhours. The total therapy cost was E72,900, of which 60% paidas out-of-pocket expenses, and 40% partially covered byregional Local Health Units. Additionally, 12% of respondentsused SSRI or benzodiazepines, costing the National HealthSystem an esteemed E3054. The sensitive analysis confirmedthe robustness of results. The study demonstrates thesignificant economic burden of discrimination againstLGBTQAI+ individuals in Italy, emphasizing the need forinclusive policies and accessible mental health support. Furtherresearch is required to explore indirect costs, for a comprehensive understanding of the total economic impact.
Counting the Cost: The Economic Toll of Discrimination Against LGBTQAI+ Individuals in Italy
Nurchis Mario Cesare;
2023-01-01
Abstract
This study investigates the financial consequences of perceiveddiscrimination towards LGBTQAI+ people in Italy, focusingon psychological support and medication costs. It highlightsthe burden of discriminatory experiences, emphasizing theneed for policies to minimize costs. A cost analysis wasperformed according to the NHS perspective. A purposivesample was recruited through a web-based survey spread onItalian researchers’ social networks, asking any LGBTQAI+readers to answer about discriminatory experiences, access topsychological support, and medication use. Costs of healthservices use were estimated according to the Italian NHS tariffsand Italian Psychologists’ Board. The time horizon was set atone year and discounting was not necessary. Robustness waschecked by a one-way sensitivity analysis. A total of 75LGBTQAI+ people completed the survey. Most of them (aged26-35 years, 85%; residing in big cities, 70%; unaffiliated withLGBTQAI+ associations, 88%) reported discriminative actions(60%), with 15% seeking psychological help soon after beingvictim of a single discriminatory act. Verbal and physical abusewere reported by 88% and 6% respectively. 40% ofrespondents claimed to have resorted to psychotherapysessions because of the discomfort felt after acts perceived asdiscriminatory or violent, amounting to 810 total therapyhours. The total therapy cost was E72,900, of which 60% paidas out-of-pocket expenses, and 40% partially covered byregional Local Health Units. Additionally, 12% of respondentsused SSRI or benzodiazepines, costing the National HealthSystem an esteemed E3054. The sensitive analysis confirmedthe robustness of results. The study demonstrates thesignificant economic burden of discrimination againstLGBTQAI+ individuals in Italy, emphasizing the need forinclusive policies and accessible mental health support. Furtherresearch is required to explore indirect costs, for a comprehensive understanding of the total economic impact.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
