Sexual Orientation Disparities in Adulting: Emerging Adulthood Markers, Depression and Anxiety among Filipino Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Women

The distinct developmental features of emerging adulthood (18–29 years old) expose individuals in this life stage to unique mental health challenges. These developmental and mental health outcomes can be further nuanced based on gender and sexuality. Drawing from an online survey sample of 768 young Filipino female undergraduate students, this cross-sectional study examines how emerging adulthood markers, psychological distress outcomes (i.e., depression and anxiety), and their relationships differ between heterosexual (n = 524) and sexual minority (n = 244) women. Aside from demographic data, key variables were measured using the Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-8), and the depression and anxiety domains of the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10). Results suggest that sexual minority female students report significantly higher negativity/instability in emerging adulthood, depression, and anxiety compared to heterosexual counterparts (p < 0.05). Moreover, results demonstrate how the nature of the predictive relationship of emerging adulthood markers with depression and anxiety varies between heterosexual and sexual minority respondents. Findings highlight sexual orientation as a gradient linked to developmental and mental health outcomes among emerging adult women, emphasizing the need to integrate gender-inclusive and -specific strategies to promote positive development and mental well-being among emerging adults.