Self-compassion, minority stress, and mental health in sexual and gender minority populations: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations report numerous mental health disparities relative to heterosexual and cisgender populations, due in part to the effects of minority stress. This article evaluated self-compassion as a coping resource among SGM populations by (a) meta-analyzing the associations between self-compassion, minority stress, and mental health; and (b) synthesizing evidence for the mediating effects of self-compassion between minority stress and mental health. Systematic searches of databases identified 21 papers for the systematic review and 19 for the meta-analysis. Significant metaanalytic associations were found between self-compassion and minority stress (n = 4,296, r = À.29), psychological distress (n = 3,931, r = À.59), and well-being (n = 2,493, r = .50). The research synthesis identified supporting evidence for self-compassion as a coping resource for SGM people. The results of this review warrant further self-compassion research, particularly longitudinal research, for SGM populations. Public Health Significance StatementFindings from this meta-analysis and systematic review suggest that self-compassion may be an important coping resource to buffer against minority stress among sexual and gender minority populations at risk for mental health problems. Results from this review provide evidence from which to begin developing and implementing self-compassion interventions for sexual and gender minority populations to improve mental health.

Self-compassion in today’s regressive sociopolitical climate.

“…Thus, the recent meta-analysis by Helminen et al (2022) comes at an opportune time. As the LGBTQ community continues to be targeted, it will be important for psychologists to help provide clients and patients with strategies to help buffer against the adverse effects of living in a discriminatory environment.…”

Targeting self-compassion among sexual and gender minority people experiencing psychological distress: A comment on Helminen et al. (2022).

“…ined by Helminen et al (2022). They found that self-compassion had significant meta-analytic associations with minority stress (r = À.29), psychological distress (r = À.59), and well-being (r = .50).…”

“…It is important for clinicians to understand that practicing self-compassion can be incredibly difficult and vulnerable for a client, as it may include experiencing fear, sadness, grief, and other emotions the client has likely been working hard to avoid. Emotions like guilt, shame, and self-disgust may even be functioning to protect SGM clients from feelings of helplessness (e.g., Kaysen et al, 2019). In such cases, clients may require more time, psychoeducation, motivational enhancement, and trust in their therapist before they are ready to try self-compassionate emotional experiencing.…”

“…Self-compassion has been shown to link minority stress (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma) with mental health outcomes in sexual and gender minority (SGM) people, as systematically examined by Helminen et al (2022). They found that self-compassion had significant meta-analytic associations with minority stress ( r = −.29), psychological distress ( r = −.59), and well-being ( r = .50).…”

“…In conclusion, Helminen et al (2022) have done extremely important work in: (a) systematically summarizing the empirical evidence for the associations among self-compassion, minority stressors, and psychological distress; (b) helping to establish self-compassion as a mechanism underlying the associations between minority stressors and psychological distress for SGM people; and (c) highlighting self-compassion’s relevance as a therapeutic target in this population. In conceptualizing self-compassion as a continual, values-based process, we propose that there are several paths to improving mental health and facilitating healing among SGM people through intentional practice of mindful, self-compassionate experiencing of painful emotion.…”