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Yodlorchai R, Suttiwan P, Walch SE, Ngamake S. A Conditional Process Analysis of Microaffirmations, Microaggressions, and Mental Health Among Thai Sexual Minorities. J Homosex 2024:1-28. [PMID: 38470498 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2328695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Sexual orientation (SO) microaggressions contribute to mental health issues among sexual minorities. Microaffirmations may mitigate these effects, with internalized heterosexism and SO concealment proposed as mediators. A community sample of 307 Thai sexual minorities completed measures assessing SO microaggressions, microaffirmations, internalized heterosexism, SO concealment, and mental health concerns. Serial mediation analysis using Hayes' PROCESS macro model 6 tested indirect effects through proposed mediators. Conditional process analysis using PROCESS model 85 examined the moderating role of microaffirmations. These models tested hypothesized moderated serial mediation relationships among study variables. SO microaggressions had a total effect on mental health concerns, directly and indirectly through increased SO concealment. The internalized heterosexism → SO concealment sequence mediated this relationship. Microaffirmations moderated the direct microaggressions-mental health link, reducing this association at higher levels of microaffirmations. The full model accounted for 31.6% of the variance (R2 = 0.316) in mental health concerns. The Johnson-Neyman technique identified 0.613 as the microaffirmations value above which the effect of SO microaggressions on mental health was no longer significant. Findings elucidate mechanisms linking SO microaggressions to mental health issues and microaffirmations' protective role among Thai sexual minorities. These results could inform efforts to mitigate minority stress impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panrapee Suttiwan
- Psychology Center for Lifespan Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Susan E Walch
- Department of Psychology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA
| | - Sakkaphat Ngamake
- Psychology Center for Lifespan Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Yodlorchai R, Suttiwan P, Walch S, Ngamake S. Developing and Validating Thai Sexual Orientation Microaggression and Microaffirmation Scales. J Homosex 2023:1-29. [PMID: 37921788 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2275301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Mental health disparities exist for sexual minority populations globally. Microaggressions and microaffirmations related to sexual orientation may negatively or positively impact well-being. Culturally validated tools are needed to assess these constructs among LGBQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer/questioning) individuals in Thailand's high-context culture. This study aimed to develop and validate the Thai Sexual Orientation Microaggressions Scale (T-SOMG) and the Thai Sexual Orientation Microaffirmations Scale (T-SOMF) to quantify experiences among LGBQ+ Thais. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Initial scale items were derived from a literature review, expert consultation, and interviews with LGBQ+ Thais. Exploratory factor analysis (n = 164) refined the item pools. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 200) confirmed the factor structures. Reliability and validity were examined. The final 18-item T-SOMG contained two subscales-Interpersonal and Environmental Microaggressions. The 13-item T-SOMF contained Interpersonal and Environmental Microaffirmations subscales. All scales demonstrated good model fit, reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The T-SOMG and T-SOMF are culturally valid tools for assessing microaggressions and microaffirmations among LGBQ+ Thais. These localized scales can enable research on factors impacting LGBQ+ well-being. Further validation in diverse samples is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panrapee Suttiwan
- Psychology Center for Life-span Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Susan Walch
- Department of Psychology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, USA
| | - Sakkaphat Ngamake
- Psychology Center for Life-span Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Rosati F, Lorusso MM, Pistella J, Giovanardi G, Di Giannantonio B, Mirabella M, Williams R, Lingiardi V, Baiocco R. Non-Binary Clients' Experiences of Psychotherapy: Uncomfortable and Affirmative Approaches. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:15339. [PMID: 36430057 PMCID: PMC9690436 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Non-binary people may face specific challenges in psychological settings. Psychotherapists often display a lack of preparation for non-binary gender identities, resulting in overt or subtle forms of prejudice that compromise the therapeutic alliance. The present study aimed to provide data on non-binary clients' positive and negative experiences within therapeutic relationships. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with non-binary people in the age range of 19-35. Using codebook thematic analysis, the researchers identified three main themes: (1) the self of the psychotherapist, consisting of the impact of the therapist's personal (i.e., sexual identity) and professional (i.e., competence) characteristics on the therapeutic experience; (2) the practice of the psychotherapist, emerging as affirmative (validation and microaffirmations) or negative (gender identity change efforts, manifest aggressions, and microaggressions) approaches toward non-binary identities; (3) the therapeutic relationship, referring to the alliance, rupture, and reparation based on the therapists' openness toward non-binary identities. To provide a safer setting for non-binary clients, psychotherapists should incorporate issues related to gender minority identities in their training, acknowledge clinical errors when they occur and adopt an active predisposition to learn through the client's experience, giving value to their unique contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fau Rosati
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maric Martin Lorusso
- Department of Psychology, Campus Cesena, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 47521 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Pistella
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Giovanardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Di Giannantonio
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Mirabella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Williams
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lingiardi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baiocco
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Flanders CE, Tarasoff LA, Legge MM, Robinson M, Gos G. Positive Identity Experiences of Young Bisexual and Other Nonmonosexual People: A Qualitative Inquiry. J Homosex 2016; 64:1014-1032. [PMID: 27797650 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2016.1236592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The majority of LGBTQ psychological research focuses on dysfunction. The exclusion of strengths-based perspectives in LGBTQ psychology limits the understanding of LGBTQ mental health. In this article we report experiences that young bisexual and other nonmonosexual people perceive as affirming of their sexual identity. A 28-day, daily diary study was used to investigate whether bisexual-identified participants encountered positive experiences related to their sexual identity, and which type of experiences they perceived to be positive. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, participants' experiences were organized according to a social ecological model. Experiences were reported at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional levels, but most positive sexual identity experiences occurred at the interpersonal level. Implications for positive health outcome research and the integration of positive psychology with LGBTQ psychology are discussed, as well as study limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey E Flanders
- a Social Epidemiological Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Lesley A Tarasoff
- b Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | | | | | - Giselle Gos
- b Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
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