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Carson I, Wu W, Knopf A, Crawford CA, Zapolski TCB. On the Relationship Between Online Heterosexist Discrimination and Mental Health and Substance Use Among LGBTQ+ Young Adults. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1277-1291. [PMID: 38253740 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02800-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health and substance use difficulties. Discrimination is a significant factor in explaining these disparities. Meyer's (2003) minority stress theory (MST) indicates that proximal group-specific processes mediate the relationship between discrimination and health outcomes, with the effects moderated by other social factors. However, online discrimination has been understudied among LGBTQ+ people. Focusing on LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing online heterosexist discrimination (OHD), the current study aimed to investigate the effect of OHD on mental health outcomes and explore whether the effect was mediated by proximal factors of internalized heterosexism, online concealment, and acceptance concerns and moderated by social support. Path analysis was used to examine the effects. A total of 383 LGBTQ+ young adults (18-35) from an introductory psychology subject pool, two online crowdsourcing platforms, and the community completed a questionnaire assessing these constructs. OHD was associated with increased psychological distress and cannabis use. Two proximal stressors (acceptance concerns and sexual orientation concealment) mediated the relationship between OHD and psychological distress. Sexual orientation concealment also mediated the relationship between OHD and cannabis use. There was no evidence that online social support from LGBTQ+ peers moderated any of the relationships. MST is a viable guiding framework for exploring OHD. Acceptance concerns and online concealment are important constructs to consider and may be potential treatment targets for individuals experiencing psychological distress or engaging in cannabis use due to OHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Carson
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 124, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 124, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Amy Knopf
- Section of Community Health, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Christopher Andrew Crawford
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 124, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tamika C B Zapolski
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 124, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Lopes B, Jaspal R. Identity Processes and Psychological Wellbeing Upon Recall of a Significant "Coming Out" Experience in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:207-231. [PMID: 36041082 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2111536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the relations between minority stressors, protective factors and psychological wellbeing among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. Experimental data based on a sample of 156 showed that participants asked to recall a negative coming out experience to somebody significant reported more identity threat and distress and less positive affect compared to those recalling a neutral coming out experience. In the negative recall condition, the effects of the stressors of discrimination and rejection on the variance of distress through the mediation of identity threat were statistically significant but not in the neutral recall condition and the two conditions statistically significantly differed in regards to the relationship between discrimination and distress. Identity resilience-continuity was associated with less identity threat and distress in the negative recall condition only, while social support was negatively associated and LGB stigma sensitivity was positively associated with distress in both conditions. Degree of outness (operating as a coping strategy) was associated with increased positive affect in both the neutral and negative recall conditions. When recalling a negative coming out experience, LGB people may be more susceptible to distress associated with minority stressors but also capitalize on available coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Lopes
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rusi Jaspal
- Vice-Chancellor's Office, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
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Castaneda J, Poma N, Mougenot B, Herrera-Añazco P. Association between the Expression of Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity and Mental Health Perceptions in the Peruvian LGBTI Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095655. [PMID: 37174174 PMCID: PMC10178142 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The non-expression of sexual orientation and gender identity can affect mental health in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex population in Peru. METHOD Secondary, observational, analytical, and cross-sectional analyses of data from the "First Virtual Survey on the LGBTI population" were conducted with a population (n = 11,345) of LGBTI adults aged 18 years old or more. The variables of mental health and expression of sexual orientation and/or gender identity were measured using a self-reported questionnaire that did not include a validated scale; questions with multiple alternatives that included "yes" and "no" options were used. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained by glm log Poisson regression models. RESULTS The median age of the participants was 25 years (IQR: 21-30), and the majority of the population identified as gay, followed by lesbian and bisexual. Individuals who expressed their sexual orientation and/or gender identity were 17% less likely to have had perceived mental health problems in the last 12 months (PR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.90, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The non-expression of sexual orientation and/or gender identity has a significant negative effect on the mental health problems of the LGBTI population. These results highlight the importance of promoting the expression of sexual orientation and gender identity in our community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Castaneda
- Medical School, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
| | - Nicanor Poma
- Medical School, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
| | - Benoit Mougenot
- Centro de Excelencia en Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru
- Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru
| | - Percy Herrera-Añazco
- Medical School, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
- Red Internacional en Salud Colectiva y Salud Intercultural, Mexico City 56900, Mexico
- Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación, Seguro Social de Salud, Lima 14072, Peru
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Victor SE, Trieu TH, Seymour NE. Associations with LGBTQ+ mental health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2023.2179938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Terry H. Trieu
- Texas Tech University, Department of Psychological Sciences
| | - Nicole E. Seymour
- Center for Behavioral Medicine, Missouri Department of Mental Health
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Dai JD, Levine CS. I Am Not A Virus: Status-Based Rejection Sensitivity and Sleep Among East Asian People in the United States During COVID-19. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PERSONALITY SCIENCE 2022; 14:395-406. [PMID: 36969090 PMCID: PMC10031274 DOI: 10.1177/19485506221106847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As COVID-19 spread in the United States, anti-East Asian bias increased. This article aimed to (1) show that thinking about COVID-19 heightened East Asian individuals’ anxious expectations of discrimination and (2) explore these expectations’ health correlates. Specifically, the paper focused on COVID-19-triggered race-based rejection sensitivity, defined as (1) East Asian individuals’ expectations of rejection due to the stereotype that they spread the virus and (2) high levels of anxiety about this possibility. Study 1 ( N = 412) showed that reminders of COVID-19 increased COVID-19-triggered race-based rejection sensitivity among Chinese citizens living in the United States and East Asian Americans, but not Americans of other races. Study 2 ( N = 473) demonstrated that East Asian people who habitually focused on COVID-19 experienced greater COVID-19-triggered race-based rejection sensitivity and, in turn, greater sleep difficulties. Thus, societal-level shifts that target minoritized groups may increase minoritized group members’ concerns about discrimination in ways that undermine their health.
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Xu W, Wu S, Tang W. Childhood emotional abuse, rejection sensitivity, and depression symptoms in young Chinese gay and bisexual men: Testing a moderated mediation model. J Affect Disord 2022; 308:213-220. [PMID: 35398111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high and increasing prevalence of depression symptoms among gay and bisexual individuals. Studies have found that childhood emotional abuse (CEA) can impact mental-health problems in adulthood; however, limited research on this association among marginalized populations, especially in China. This study aimed to explore the relationship between CEA and depression symptoms in adulthood among gay and bisexual youths in China and to test the mediating role of rejection sensitivity and the moderating role of sexual identity in this relationship. METHODS Participants comprised 496 gay and bisexual Chinese men aged 18-29 years. They responded to a questionnaire that assessed history of CEA, rejection sensitivity, and depression symptoms. RESULTS CEA showed a positive association with depression symptoms among participants. Participants' rejection sensitivity played a partial mediating role in the relationship between CEA and depression symptoms. Sexual identity had a moderating effect on the CEA's influence on depression symptoms, with a stronger impact for gay men than bisexual men. LIMITATIONS Cross-sectional approach limited casual inferences among variables. Recall bias regarding CEA may have impacted the accuracy of the effect sizes observed. CONCLUSION This study contributes to improving understanding of CEA's role as a substantial risk factor for strong depression symptoms in adulthood among gay and bisexual youths and it demonstrates that focusing on educating families and establishing equal policies is important to decrease and eliminate depression symptoms. Theories of sexual minority stress and biphobia are applicable for explaining mental health outcomes among young members of sexual minorities in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjian Xu
- Department of Sociology & Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, China; Institute of Psychology, Sichuan University, China
| | - Sanfeng Wu
- Department of Sociology & Psychology, School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, China; Institute of Psychology, Sichuan University, China
| | - Wanjie Tang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Beckie TM, Lengacher C, Rodriguez C, Pares-Avila J, Turner D, Sanchez M, Nair US. A framework for addressing health inequities in sexual and gender diverse populations by nurses. Nurs Outlook 2022; 70:651-663. [DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Marmet S, Wicki M, Gmel G, Gachoud C, Bertholet N, Studer J. Sexual Minority Orientation Is Associated With Greater Psychological Impact Due to the COVID-19 Crisis-Evidence From a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Young Swiss Men. Front Public Health 2021; 9:692884. [PMID: 34746075 PMCID: PMC8570433 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.692884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures may have had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of specific population subgroups. The present study investigated whether sexual minority men (defined here as attracted partly or exclusively to men) from an ongoing cohort study of young Swiss men experienced different psychological impacts, levels of substance use and addictive behaviors, and to which degree pre-existing vulnerabilities and participants experiences during the crisis might explain these differences. Methods: An ongoing cohort sample based on the general population of young Swiss men (mean age = 29.07 years; SD = 1.27) was assessed before and during the COVID-19 crisis for depression, stress, sleep quality, substance use and addictive behaviors. Additionally, during the crisis, we assessed its impact in form of fear, isolation and traumatic experiences. Potential associations between these outcomes and sexual orientation (sexual minority vs. heterosexual) were tested using linear regression models. It was additionally estimated to which degree these associations were attenuated if adjusted for differences in mental health, personality and socioeconomic status before the crisis, as well as the experience of the COVID-19 crisis (infection with the virus and changes to work situation). Results: Compared to heterosexual men, sexual minority men showed higher levels of psychological trauma (b = 0.37 [0.25, 0.49]), fear (b = 0.18 [0.06, 0.30]) and isolation (b = 0.32 [0.20, 0.44]) due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as higher levels of depression (b = 0.31 [0.20, 0.41]) and lower sleep quality (b = −0.13 [−0.24, −0.02]) during the crisis. These differences were to a large degree explained by higher pre-crisis levels of mental health problems and the personality dimension of neuroticism-anxiety. Sexual minority men showed higher overall levels of substance use and addictive behaviors, but these differences were already present before the crisis. Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis may have worsened pre-existing vulnerabilities in sexual minority men, leading to its greater psychological impact on them than on heterosexual men. Reducing minority stress due to sexual orientation may help not only to improve mental health among important proportions of the population but also to reduce their vulnerability to crises. Services offering psychological support to sexual minorities may need to be reinforced during crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Marmet
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Wicki
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Gmel
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Céline Gachoud
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Bertholet
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Studer
- Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Stojanovski K, King EJ, Bondikjova V, Mihajlov A. Stigma shapes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer person's mental health and experiences with mental health services in North Macedonia. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:857-869. [DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1896767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristefer Stojanovski
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth Jane King
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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