Mental Health and Substance Use: Influence on Body Image and Lifestyle Across Sexual Identities

Author(s)	Edd Jodi Arguelles Bejer
Country	Philippines
Abstract	Mental health and substance use are critical determinants of body image and lifestyle, shaped by social and cultural contexts across sexual identities. This study examined their influence among 692 individuals in the Second District of Batangas, including lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender individuals, and heterosexuals. A descriptive-correlational design was employed using standardized tools (AUDIT, DUDIT, BDI-II, GAD-7, BAS-1) and a lifestyle questionnaire based on WHO guidelines. Results revealed that all groups experienced moderate depression, with bisexual and straight female respondents obtaining the highest mean scores, suggesting greater vulnerability to stigma and societal pressures. Transgender individuals reported heightened concern for health and lifestyle, while heterosexual respondents achieved higher lifestyle scores than LGBT counterparts. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated significant associations among mental health, substance use, body image, and lifestyle, indicating that depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug use negatively affect health behaviors and self-perceptions.
Keywords	mental health, substance use, body image, lifestyle, sexual identity
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 4, October-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-05
DOI	https://doi.org/10.71097/IJSAT.v16.i4.8764
Short DOI	https://doi.org/g99qnh

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International Journal on Science and Technology