Minority stress and resiliency: Psychosocial protective factors against depression for same-sex attracted women.

详细信息   

• 作者：Bergfeld ; Jeannette R.
• 学历：Psy.D.
• 年：2016
• 毕业院校：Alliant International University.bPsychology.
• Department：LGBTQstudies.
• ISBN：9781321800395
• CBH：3706336
• FileSize：633640
• Pages：91

文摘

Same-sex attracted young adult women have higher rates of psychological distress than the general public. Literature has shown that minority stress experiences of discrimination and prejudice) is a major factor that contributes to negative mental health outcomes for same-sex attracted participants. Few researchers have looked into the personal resources and coping strategies that may moderate the impact of minority stress on the mental health of same-sex attracted youth. The current study investigated such factors that can moderate the relationship between minority stress and depressive symptoms among same-sex attracted college-aged women. Specifically, trait mindfulness including awareness and acceptance), three types of coping strategies, and perceived LGB social support were included as possible moderators. Participants were 175 women between the ages of 18 and 28 who are mainly attracted to other women. The sample was also fairly diverse in terms of socioeconomic status, but a majority of the participants were White, non-Hispanic and identified as lesbians. The study was completed all online and included measures of minority stress, trait awareness and acceptance, coping strategies including problem solving, seeking social support, and avoidance), perceived LGB social support, outness, and depressive symptoms. Regression results supported the hypothesis that minority stress has a significant positive relationship with depression symptoms. Only one of the hypothesized moderators, seeking social support, was shown to significantly moderate the relationship between minority stress and depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, seeking social support actually moderated the relationship in the opposite way from what was expected, such that higher levels of seeking social support actually predicted a stronger positive relationship between minority stress and depressive symptoms. However, post-hoc analyses revealed that three of the hypothesized protective factors trait acceptance, avoidance, and LGB social support) significantly mediated the relationship between minority stress and depressive symptoms. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.