The Relationship Between Experiences of Discrimination and Mental Health Among Lesbians and Gay Men: An Examination of Internalized Homonegativity and Rejection Sensitivity as Potential Mechanisms
The Relationship Between Experiences of Discrimination and Mental Health Among Lesbians and Gay Men: An Examination of Internalized Homonegativity and Rejection Sensitivity as Potential Mechanisms
复制标题
DOI：
10.1037/a0029425
复制
发表时间：
2012-10-01
影响因子：
5.9
通讯作者：
Davila, Joanne
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Feinstein, Brian A.;Goldfried, Marvin R.;Davila, Joanne
目的：本研究使用路径分析来研究歧视经历影响抑郁和社交焦虑症状的潜在机制。方法：样本包括 218 名女同性恋者和 249 名男同性恋者（总计 N = 467），他们参加了有关少数群体压力和心理健康的在线调查。所提出的模型包括两个潜在的中介因素——内在的同性消极性和拒绝敏感性——以及与歧视经历相关的文化前因——童年性别不合格。结果：结果表明，数据很好地拟合了模型，支持内化同性消极性和拒绝敏感性在歧视经历与抑郁和社交焦虑症状之间的关联中的中介作用。研究结果还支持了童年时期性别不一致作为歧视经历的先决条件的作用。尽管整体模型拟合度不存在显着的性别差异，但模型内的某些关联对于男同性恋者明显强于女同性恋者。结论：这些发现表明了歧视经历影响性少数群体福祉的潜在机制，这对这些人群的研究和临床实践具有重要意义。
Objective: The current study used path analysis to examine potential mechanisms through which experiences of discrimination influence depressive and social anxiety symptoms. Method: The sample included 218 lesbians and 249 gay men (total N = 467) who participated in an online survey about minority stress and mental health. The proposed model included 2 potential mediators-internalized homonegativity and rejection sensitivity-as well as a culturally relevant antecedent to experiences of discrimination-childhood gender nonconformity. Results: Results indicated that the data fit the model well, supporting the mediating roles of internalized homonegativity and rejection sensitivity in the associations between experiences of discrimination and symptoms of depression and social anxiety. Results also supported the role of childhood gender nonconformity as an antecedent to experiences of discrimination. Although there were not significant gender differences in the overall model fit, some of the associations within the model were significantly stronger for gay men than lesbians. Conclusions: These findings suggest potential mechanisms through which experiences of discrimination influence well-being among sexual minorities, which has important implications for research and clinical practice with these populations.