Perceived distress tolerance accounts for the covariance between discrimination experiences and anxiety symptoms among sexual minority adults

Abstract

Sexual orientation-related discrimination experiences have been implicated in elevated rates of anxiety symptoms within sexual minority groups. Theory suggests that chronic discrimination experiences may dampen the ability to tolerate distress, increasing vulnerability for anxiety. This study examined the role of distress tolerance, or the capacity to withstand negative emotions, as a construct underlying associations between discriminatory experiences and anxiety among sexual minority adults. Participants (N=119; Mage= 36.4 ±14.8; 50% cisgender male, 31% cisgender female, 19% transgender; 37% non-Latino white) were recruited from Houston, Texas. Measures administered included the Heterosexist Harassment, Rejection, and Discrimination Scale (discrimination experiences), Distress Tolerance Scale (distress tolerance), and the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (anxiety). The association of discrimination experiences and anxiety through distress tolerance was assessed using covariate-adjusted mediation modeling. Results indicated that sexual orientation-related discrimination experiences were significantly and positively associated with anxiety and that this association was mediated through lower distress tolerance. Significant indirect effects were specific to cognitive (versus somatic) anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that distress tolerance may be an explanatory mechanism in the association between discriminatory experiences and cognitive symptoms of anxiety and a potentially relevant target within clinical interventions to address anxiety-related health disparities among sexual minority adults. However, more sophisticated designs are needed to delineate causal associations.

Characterizing Discrimination Experiences by Race among Homeless Adults

“…and "Overall, how much harder has your life been because of discrimination?"). Results, albeit cross-sectional, support previous findings linking perceived discrimination experiences with negative outcomes, [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] and may suggest that discrimination experiences contribute to the chronic homelessness or that chronic homelessness contributes to perceived discrimination experiences. Likewise, months homeless was correlated with quality of life impact variables.…”

“…12 Experiences with discrimination have been predominately examined within domiciled samples and have been associated with suicidal ideation, 13 substance dependence, 14 and other mental and physical health problems that negatively impact quality of life. 15,16 Reasons for perceived discrimination vary by race; 14 however, racial discrimination in particular may contribute to and maintain health problems that impact quality of life. [17][18][19][20][21][22] Among Black adults, for example, experiences with racial discrimination are common and frequent [23][24][25] and have been linked with lower self-rated health, 26 psychological distress, 27 and engaging in unhealthy behaviors while disengaging in healthy behaviors.…”

Experiences of Discrimination Are Associated With Greater Resting Amygdala Activity and Functional Connectivity

“…For instance, some individuals may perceive less discrimination than may exist (minimization bias), while others may perceive more discrimination than may exist (vigilance bias) (144). It is thus possible that elevations in amygdala activity and rsFC reflect innate individual differences that facilitate the detection, perception, and/or recollection of discriminatory acts (144–146), as well as factors unexamined in the current study (e.g., attribution tendencies (50), distress tolerance (147), resilience capacity, coping strategies). Future prospective or longitudinal studies may help to clarify the question of causal effects, which remain obscure due to the cross-sectional nature of our study.…”

Sexual orientation openness and depression symptoms: A population-based study.

“…Szymanski and Henrichs-Beck (2014) found that increased suppressive and reactive coping mediated the positive associations of harassment, rejection, discrimination, and internalized homophobia with psychological distress among sexual minority women living in the US. Reitzel et al (2017) found that sexual orientation-based discrimination was positively associated with anxiety through lower distress tolerance among sexual minority adults in Texas. Mereish et al (2017) reported that increased feelings of loneliness mediated the positive associations of sexual orientation concealment and both discrimination and internalized negativity toward bisexual individuals with both psychological distress and suicidality among bisexuals living in the US.…”