The health and well-being of LGBT+ military personnel and Veterans

This research study aims to quantitatively explore the prevalence rates of health and well-being outcomes among UK LGBT+ Serving and ex-Serving military members, along with the risk and protective factors influencing these outcomes; understand the perceptions and experiences of UK LGBT+ Serving and ex-Serving military members through the lens of health and well-being using semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Utilising quantitative data from the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) cohort study and qualitatively interviewing participants. The interviews will include semi-structured questions related to help-seeking behaviours, relationships with others in unit, commanding officers, and family, perceived discrimination, acceptance and discrimination, bullying and harassment, managing identities, help-seeking, and disclosure during service, and the transition to civilian life, and more.

• What are the prevalence of health and well-being outcomes such as mental health, substance misuse, physical health, family relationships, among LGBT+ personnel/Veterans compared to non-LGBT+ personnel and what are the key risk (such as combat exposure and deployment) and protective factors (such as support networks)?

• What are the perceptions and experiences of LGBT+ Serving and ex-Serving personnel throughout their Service and the factors influencing their health and well-being during and after military Service? 

Anyone who identifies as LGBT+ and served in the UK military following the lifting of the ban on LGBT+ individuals serving openly. The quantitative numbers will be determined by the amount of individuals who endorsed this question on Phase 4 of the KCMHR cohort study and the qualitative target is 30-40 for interviews.