Emerging Ideas. Familial Influences, Shame, Guilt, and Depression Among Sexual Minority Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the mediating effects of self-conscious emotions (i.e., shame and guilt) on the relationships between familial influences and depressive symptoms among sexual minority adolescents (SMAs). Background: Familial influences, such as family rejection or parental affirmation, are associated with depression. However, little research has been conducted to identify specific mechanisms that can explain the associations between familial influences and depressive symptoms among SMAs. Method: Participants were 94 adolescents, aged 12 to 18 years, who were recruited through the community and completed self-report measures. Results: Family rejection was associated with more feelings of shame and guilt, whereas parent affirmation was associated with less shame and guilt. Shame and guilt were associated with more depressive symptoms. Indirect effects of family rejection on depression were significant through shame but not guilt.

Queer and transgender joy: A daily diary qualitative study of positive identity factors among sexual and gender minority adolescents.

“…Among the extant literature, individual-level resilience factors include affirmation, acceptance, and support from family, friends, and other community members, which are posited to promote the mental health of SGMA (Mereish, Cox, et al, 2021). In particular, parental affirmation is associated with less depressive symptoms and self-conscious emotions (i.e., shame and guilt) among SGMA (Mereish, Cox, et al, 2021), and family social support is associated with less anxiety and depression symptoms among transgender adolescents (Puckett et al, 2019). Parental, classmate, teacher, and close friend social supports have also been found to be associated with lower depressive symptoms and greater self-esteem in sexual minority adolescents and emerging adults (Watson et al, 2019).…”

An Integrated Conceptual Model to Understand Suicidality among Queer Youth to Inform Suicide Prevention

“…Family rejection is linked to adverse mental health outcomes, such as depression and suicidal ideation [ 83 , 89 ], and such rejection may contribute to queer youth houselessness [ 90 ]. For queer youth, the process of disclosing their queer status to their family can add to stress, disrupt the family unit, and cause conflict within the parent–child relationship, subsequently elevating feelings of shame, depression [ 91 ], and feelings of perceived burdensomeness. This conflict is especially detrimental when family norms and beliefs are entrenched in rigid gender roles (e.g., toxic masculinity, machismo [ 91 ]), or religious ideologies that do not support queer relationships [ 92 ], which can lead to internalized stigma and suicide risk, as indicated by research with queer young people [ 68 ].…”

“…Familial homophobic and/or transphobic attitudes or anti-queer sentiments can worsen the internalized stigma of queer youth and lead to negative mental health outcomes [ 73 , 91 ]. If families force queer youth into sexual orientation change efforts (e.g., conversion therapy), research suggests they will be at a higher risk for depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts in their lifetime [ 93 , 94 ].…”

Effect of perceived public stigma on internalized homophobia, anticipated stigma, shame, and guilt: Outness as a moderator

“…In line with minority stress theory, empirical evidence has supported the view that perceived public stigma was positively associated with internalized homophobia (Puckett et al., 2017) and anticipated stigma (Liao et al., 2015; Meyer, 2003) in Western samples. Moreover, perceived public stigma was found to be positively associated with shame (Johnson & Yarhouse, 2013) and guilt (Mereish et al., 2021). Therefore, the first research aim of this study is to revisit the relationships of perceived public stigma with internalized homophobia, anticipated stigma, shame, and guilt among Chinese sexual minority individuals.…”