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Tan KJ, Anderson JR. Internalized Sexual Stigma and Mental Health Outcomes for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Asian Americans: The Moderating Role of Guilt and Shame. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:384. [PMID: 38673297 PMCID: PMC11050226 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The literature unequivocally demonstrates that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals experience disproportionate mental health and social wellbeing impacts. Here, we respond to recent calls for research in the field of sexual minority health to better understand why various overlapping and intersecting identities can further drive health disparities. In this paper, we focus on the specific intersections of ethnicity and sexuality for Asian LGB individuals and the role of internalized stigma in driving poorer mental health outcomes for this group. We recruited 148 LGB Asian participants residing in the United States (Mage = 22.82 years, SD = 4.88) to participate in our online cross-sectional survey in which we collected data on their internalized stigma, levels of guilt and shame about their sexuality, and measures of depression, anxiety, and distress. Contrary to our predictions, there were no bivariate relationships between internalized sexual stigma and any of the mental health outcomes. However, a parallel mediation analysis revealed that guilt, but not shame, mediates the relationship between internalized sexual stigma and all mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress) for LGB Asian American individuals. This research highlights the important of exploring additional variables that may exacerbate of protect against poor mental health for individuals with multiple intersecting identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Jin Tan
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus (St Patrick), Locked Bag 4115, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia;
| | - Joel R. Anderson
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne Campus (St Patrick), Locked Bag 4115, Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia;
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
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Kovács J, Csukonyi C, Kovács KE, Liszka D, Walawender P. Integrative attitudes of Ukrainian war refugees in two neighboring European countries (Poland and Hungary) in connection with posttraumatic stress symptoms and social support. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1256102. [PMID: 38035297 PMCID: PMC10687397 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Since February 24th, 2022, millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in other, mainly European countries. Hungary, after Poland, is the second largest host of Ukrainian refugees. Only a portion of them are asylum seekers (~11.0% in Poland and ~ 1.1% in Hungary). The aim of the study is to compare the integrative acculturation attitudes between the war refugees residing in the two European countries. The comparison takes into account both the suffering of posttraumatic stress symptoms and social support. It is the first comparative study of this kind pertaining to the Ukrainian refugees in European countries. The data were obtained by a survey method using the modified CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) technique. The data analyzed were collected between November 21st and December 20th, 2022 from 728 adult Ukrainian individuals who crossed the borders of Poland and Hungary after February 24th, 2022. The research results show that refugees in Poland perceive significantly more social support and show stronger integrative attitudes than refugees in Hungary. The two samples do not differ regarding the presence of posttraumatic stress. The integrative attitudes proved not to be linked to gender and age, but linked to the host country. Besides social support and the host country, posttraumatic stress also proved to be a significant predictor of integrative attitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Kovács
- Institute of Psychology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csilla Csukonyi
- Institute of Psychology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Damian Liszka
- Institute of Sociology, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Walawender
- Institute of Sociology, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow, Poland
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Salvati M, Koc Y. Advancing research into the social psychology of sexual orientations and gender identities: Current research and future directions. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Salvati
- Department of Human Science University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Yasin Koc
- Department of Social Psychology University of Groningen The Netherlands
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Tuthill ZO. An Assessment of Racial and Ethnic and Sexual Identity Centrality and Smoking Behavior. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2022:1-24. [PMID: 35616394 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2071137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although evidence indicates that identity centrality, or identity importance, can serve as a positive coping mechanism regarding well-being, less is known if it can also buffer against health risk behaviors like cigarette smoking. This study uses an intercategorical intersectional approach using data from 1,571 Black and Latino/a sexual and gender minority adults in the Social Justice Sexuality Project to assess the relationship between sexual and racial and ethnic identity centrality and smoking patterns. Relative risk ratios from multinomial logistic regressions highlight three findings. First, there is no evidence of a significant association between identity centrality and smoking behavior nor evidence of a significant interaction effect between racial and ethnic and sexual identity centrality. Once models were adjusted for education, the association between centrality and smoking was no longer significant. Second, results indicate that education, gender identity, familial support and outness were significant predictors of smoking behaviors. Third, results suggest that there are significant differences across the intersection of race and ethnicity and sexual identity in relative risk of smoking. In addition, findings highlight elevated risk of engaging in more casual behaviors of smoking as opposed to heightened smoking behavior among both Black and Latino/a sexual minority adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelma Oyarvide Tuthill
- Department of Sociology and Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies, The University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Soulliard ZA, Vander Wal JS. Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of three positive body image measures among cisgender sexual minority and heterosexual women. Body Image 2022; 40:146-157. [PMID: 34959130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Positive body image is a multidimensional construct consisting of various facets including body appreciation, body image flexibility, and functionality appreciation measured via the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-5 (BI-AAQ-5), and Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS), respectively. Research has supported the unidimensional factor structure of these measures; however, invariance testing based on sexual identity has yet to be conducted. The study's primary aim was to assess the measurement invariance of the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS between sexual minority and heterosexual women. The secondary aim was to assess the psychometric properties of each positive body image measure among each sample. Participants were predominantly White, cisgender women who identified as a sexual minority (n = 310) or heterosexual (n = 360) and completed online questionnaires of positive body image, eating behaviors, and mental and physical health. Results supported invariance with no differences in BAS-2 or BI-AAQ-5 scores. A significant difference with a small effect size was found in FAS scores, with sexual minority women reporting lower FAS scores. Findings supported the BI-AAQ-5 and FAS's incremental validity on perceived mental health. Overall, results suggest that the BAS-2, BI-AAQ-5, and FAS scores can be compared among women of varying sexual identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Soulliard
- Yale School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 220 E. 23rd Street, Suite 405, New York, NY 10010, USA.
| | - Jillon S Vander Wal
- Saint Louis University, Department of Psychology, 3700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
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Lee DN, Stevens EM, Keller-Hamilton B, Wedel AV, Wagener TL, Patterson JG. Minoritized Sexual Identity and Perceived Effectiveness of Instagram Public Health Messaging about E-cigarettes. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2022; 27:115-124. [PMID: 35382702 PMCID: PMC9133203 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2022.2059724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
E-cigarette (EC) use in young adult sexual-minoritized women (SMW) is disproportionately higher than among heterosexual women and sexual-minoritized men. Public health messaging utilizing social branding, a method used to tailor health messages to one's identity, may help combat this problem. We conducted an online study with SMW (N= 457) and asked them to complete scales assessing their sexual minoritized identity affirmation and centrality. Participants were randomized to view socially branded messages discouraging EC use across three themes (general wellness, pride, health harms). Results revealed that overall lesbian, bisexual, or queer (LBQ) identity (affirmation and centrality) was significantly positively associated with perceived message effectiveness (PME) (p < .001). Identity affirmation was significantly associated with PME when controlling for identity centrality (p = .004). Interaction between identity affirmation and theme was significant (p= .02), as positive effects of identity affirmation on PME were greater when participants viewed pride-themed messages versus wellness (p= .03) or harms messages (p = .01). The findings suggest that socially branded EC prevention messages emphasizing sexual minoritized identity may be more effective for SMW with a strong connection to their LBQ identity. Future research should examine how identity and socially branded messages can impact health behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghee N Lee
- Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elise M Stevens
- Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittney Keller-Hamilton
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Amelia V Wedel
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Theodore L Wagener
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Joanne G Patterson
- Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Worrell S, Waling A, Anderson J, Lyons A, Pepping CA, Bourne A. The Nature and Impact of Informal Mental Health Support in an LGBTQ Context: Exploring Peer Roles and Their Challenges. SEXUALITY RESEARCH & SOCIAL POLICY : JOURNAL OF NSRC : SR & SP 2022; 19:1586-1597. [PMID: 35003381 PMCID: PMC8724749 DOI: 10.1007/s13178-021-00681-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research shows that LGBTQ communities experience high levels of suicidality and mental ill health. They also face significant barriers to accessing adequate mental health treatment in service settings. In response to these factors, it is likely that LGBTQ community members turn to their peers for informal mental health-related support. Such support, however, is largely undefined, the extent of it poorly understood and its impacts on those who perform it underexplored. METHODS We explored the nature and impact of informal mental health-related support provided by peers in LGBTQ communities in Melbourne, Australia. Drawing on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 25 LGBTQ adults in 2020, we explored how and why peers provided mental health support to friends, partners, housemates and even strangers and the impact this had on them. RESULTS We found that participants performed support roles as extensions of their existing relationships. We demonstrate that the support roles of the safe friend, housemate and partner, among others, represent everyday relationships stretched-even to breaking point-to incorporate informal mental health support. Each of these support roles is distinct, but they can all potentially result in similar impacts on those performing them. One of the more significant of these is burnout. CONCLUSIONS LGBTQ community members face a diverse range of challenges when they support peers with their mental health. Informal peer-support roles are a significant responsibility for those performing them. LGBTQ community members stepping up to support others should be better supported to help manage their roles and the impacts of performing them. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Findings can contribute to policy that not only addresses high levels of mental ill health in LGBTQ communities, but also seeks to help peers in support roles to prevent them from being negatively impacted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Worrell
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrea Waling
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Anderson
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony Lyons
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
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