Collective Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptomatology in Lesbians and Gay Men: A Moderated Mediation Model of Self-Stigma and Psychological Abuse

Abstract

The context of stigma, in which lesbians and gay men live in most countries, exposes them to possible discrimination and promotes the internalization of negative attitudes about their own sexual orientation, which may have negative consequences for their mental health. Their psychological distress may increase when lesbians and gay men are exposed to other sources of stress such as intimate partner violence. With the aim of analysing the relationship between these variables, this study intends to present a moderated mediation model that proposes: a) self-stigma mediates the relationship between private collective self-esteem and depressive symptomatology; b) receiving psychological abuse within same-sex couples moderates the relationship between self-stigma and depressive symptomatology. For this purpose we conducted an online survey with a sample of 357 Spanish lesbians and gay men. Our findings show that self-stigma mediates the relationship between private collective self-esteem and depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, participants who had higher levels of self-stigma and received more psychological abuse by the partner showed stronger negative effects on depressive symptomatology. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Internalized homophobia, self‐esteem, social support and depressive symptoms among sexual and gender minority women in Taiwan: An online survey

“…Some scholars have suggested that self‐esteem is related to IHP and mental health among sexual minority populations (Rubino et al., 2018). The results of a study conducted in Spain on 357 homosexual men and women revealed that IHP was associated with the self‐esteem and depressive symptoms of sexual minority individuals (Longares et al., 2016). Numerous studies on lesbian women have reported a negative association between IHP and self‐esteem (McDermott et al., 2008; Peterson & Gerrity, 2006); however, one study suggested that no significant relationship existed (McGregor et al., 2001).…”

What is the role of the community? Examining minority stress processes among gay and bisexual men.

“…Higher scores on each subscale indicated worse symptoms. We chose these two dimensions because they are among the most common mental health symptoms and because of their frequent use in previous literature (Feinstein et al, 2012; Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Igartua et al, 2003; Longares, Escartín, & Rodríguez-Carballeira, 2016; McLaren, 2016; Newcomb & Mustanski, 2010). Because the scores from each of the two subscales were highly correlated, we took a common approach from previous literature and combined these scores to yield the outcome variable that showed good internal consistency (α = .93; Pachankis et al, 2015).…”

“…By contrast, internalized stigma is inherently a proximal stressor that involves individuals incorporating societal negative regard toward sexual minorities into their own values and self-perception. Although enacted and internalized stigma are not the only types of minority stressors identified in the literature, there is extensive research documenting their negative impact on mental health (Feinstein, Goldfried, & Davila, 2012; Hatzenbuehler, 2009; Huebner, Rebchook, & Kegeles, 2004; Igartua, Gill, & Montoro, 2003; Longares, Escartín, & Rodríguez-Carballeira, 2016; McLaren, 2016; Moody, Parsons, & Grov, 2017; Newcomb & Mustanski, 2010; Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009; Perez, 2016; Pachankis, Hatzenbuehler, Rendina, Safren, & Parsons, et al, 2015; Soo Hoong Yean, 2017). This article will examine a minority stress model wherein measures of enacted and internalized stigma are associated with negative mental health outcomes.…”

Violência Íntima entre Homens que se Relacionam com Homens - Revisão da Literatura

“…Quando rompidas as barreiras, as pessoas mais próximas podem funcionar como suporte emocional, já que a família nuclear pode não ser receptiva com as relações do mesmo sexo. A revisão também sugeriu que esforços da comunidade podem ser eficazes para romper o isolamento frequentemente experimentado pelos HRH vítimas de VPI, mas, de acordo com Longares et al (2016), quando se fala de VPI entre pessoas do mesmo sexo, a comunidade pode não ser tão receptiva devido ao preconceito, o que representa fator de risco para as vítimas, que podem retornar ao relacionamento abusivo. Já Goldberg-Looney et al (2016) discutiram que o uso de apoio comunitário tende a diminuir à medida que a gravidade da vitimização VPI aumenta dado os altos níveis de estigma além de que pode ser particularmente difícil para os homens das minorias sexuais buscarem apoio pois isso exige os homens exponham sua orientação sexual.…”