Discrimination and Perceived Stress in Sexual and Gender Minorities: Self-Esteem As a Moderating Factor

Abstract

Sexual and gender minorities are subjected to discrimination and stigmatization which increase vulnerability to psychological co-morbidities (Mays & Cochran, 2001). The mechanisms through which discrimination contributes to distress in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (lgbt) communities can be partially elucidated through the minority stress model. The minority stress model argues that minorities are subjected to negative societal attitudes and discrimination that results in excessive psychosocial stress related to their minority position, which is distinct from daily stress. Meyer's minority stress model is supported by social stress theoriesand data linking discrimination to stress in lgb samples. Researchers suggest that selfesteem buffers the negative effects of adverse experiences but tests of the moderating effect of self-esteem on the discrimination-distress relationship in ethnic and gender minorities yielded mixed results. Szymanski found that self-esteem moderates the relationship between discrimination and psychological distress in a male sexual minority sample, but this has never been tested in a gender-balanced sexual minority sample. We hypothesized that higher levels of self-esteem are associated with lower overall perceived stress in lgbt adults, and that selfesteem acts differentially in lgbt populations to moderate perceived discrimination. We found that discrimination, self-esteem and the interaction effect between discrimination and selfesteem accounted for 53 percent of the total variance in perceived stress scores, ∆R2 = .38; adj. R2 = .53, F(12, 133) = 14.47, p < .001.When we tested whether self-esteem moderated the relationship between discrimination and stress, discrimination was positively related to stress, β = .13, t(144) = 2.14, p < .05, and self-esteem was negatively related to stress, β = -.63, t(144) = -10.26, p < .001. The interaction between self-esteem and discrimination positively correlated with stress, β = .14, t(144) = 2.29, p < .05. Our findings suggest that self-esteem may alleviate the impact of discrimination on perceived stress, which has important implications for interventions designed to reduce stress in lgbt communities.

The Association between Perceived Discrimination and Suicide among Homosexuals: The Role of Self-Esteem as Mediator

“…The mediating effect of self-esteem in the relation between perceived discrimination and suicidal ideation can be explained by recognizing the importance of the looking-glass self. Wike (2014) noted that self-esteem relates closely with identity development and self-concept, in which the importance of the looking-glass self has been highlighted. The looking-glass self is where one imagines how others regard and judge them, directly influencing their selffeelings.…”

“…Moreover, prolonged exposure to public pressure and stress has placed homosexuals in a poorer state of psychological well-being such as lower self-esteem, and has caused them to suffer more mental health problems, including suicide (Blosnich, Nasuti, Mays, & Cochran, 2016;Graybill & Proctor, 2016). Not surprisingly, homosexuals tend to have lower self-esteem than their heterosexual counterparts (Pachankis & Goldfried, 2006), whereas other studies have revealed that low self-esteem drives maladaptive coping strategies which can explain homosexuals' suicidality (Purvis, 2017;Wike, 2014). Sexual minorities are at risk for higher prevalence of suicide; as noted by Heeringan and Vincke (2000), these individuals have a twofold increase in the risk of suicidal ideation because of their sexual orientation.…”

Correlates of perceived stress among community-dwelling older African Americans

“…This population will also become increasingly diverse as nearly 40% of all older adults will belong to racial and ethnic minoritized groups by 2050, up from barely 20% in 2012 [ 1 ]. Hence, a larger and more diverse group of Americans may face unique challenges presented by aging such as changes to income and financial burden [ 2 ], decisions regarding housing and living arrangements [ 3 ], and changes in social networks and social activities [ 4 ]. Older adults who are racial minorities [ 5 ] may be at higher risk of experiencing these challenges as they are more likely to occupy multiple minoritized statuses, such as being African American, having advanced age, and lower income; and to encounter negative experiences such as discrimination associated with these statuses [ 6 ].…”