Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the integral health of LGBT+ people: a reflection from Abraham Maslow's Human Motivation Theory

Abstract

Introduction: Due to all the particularities affecting the LGBTQIA+ population, especially in the Brazilian context, which has alarming rates of violence and exclusion, its vulnerability is an undeniable reality. The coronavirus pandemic, however, uncovered such vulnerabilities, enhancing them and generating consistent impacts in meeting the human needs of this population, in the most varied spheres of life, especially with regard to mental health. Objective: To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the overall health of the LGBTQIA+ population, based on Abraham Maslow's Theory of Human Motivation. Methods: This is a review with a qualitative approach carried out from April to July 2021. Results: Reflecting on the five hierarchical levels of Maslow's pyramid, which list universal human needs - basic or physiological, safety, social, ego or esteem and self-realization - there is a direct correlation between the pandemic moment and the increased vulnerability of this minorized group in the Brazilian context, enhancing it and generating significant impacts in meeting the human needs of this population, in the various spheres of life, especially with regard to comprehensive health. Conclusion: This study points to an unveiling and enhancement of vulnerabilities already experienced by the LGBTQIA+ population in the Brazilian scenario, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the occurrence of consistent shocks or the impossibility of realizing their human needs, from the most basic to the highest, is observed.