Social Support, Depression, and Self-Acceptance Among Gay Men

Abstract

This study analyzes how low social support of gay men when coming out affects the reported levels of depression and self-acceptance in a non-clinical sample of Flemish (Belgium) gay men. The model used is nonrecursive. It incorporates the mutual causation between depression and self-acceptance. The manipulation of social support is considered as part of the general process of social control. After delineating the methodological problems associated with studying the relationship between the perception of support and depression, it is shown that low social support because one is gay leads first to depression and then to low levels of gay self-acceptance. Findings are discussed within the framework of social stress research and the characteristics of the social context of the setting where the data was collected.

Risk of psychiatric disorders among individuals reporting same-sex sexual partners in the National Comorbidity Survey

“…9,25 Another interpretation is that the heightened risk of mental disorders among lesbians and gay men might be related to the occurrence of victimization and abuse, especially during adolescence. 4,[52][53][54] Various psychosocial factors such as a sense of isolation, 55 low levels of social support, 56 and frequent stressful life events 57 may also contribute to elevated rates of psychiatric disorders in this population.…”

Mediating and Moderating Role of Sensation Seeking in the Relation between Self-concealmentand Life Satisfaction in Adolescents

“…Bu bulgu, kendini gizleme düzeyi düşük ergenlerin yüksek yaşam doyumuna sahip olduklarını göstermektedir. Araştırmanın bu bulgusunun da daha önceki yapılan araştırma sonuçlarıyla (Finkenauer, Kerkhof, Righetti ve Branje, 2009;Fridlander ve diğerleri, 2012;Uysal ve diğerleri, 2010;Uysal, Lin, Knee ve Bush, 2012; Sosyal destek kuramına göre, sosyal destek, bireyleri stresin olumsuz etkilerinden koruyabilir (Cutrona ve Russell, 1990) ve iyilik halinin önemli bir yordayıcısıdır (Goldfried ve Goldfried, 2001;Peterson, Folkman ve Bakeman, 1996;Vincke ve Bolton, 1994). Kuramın bu görüşünü destekler nitelikte, Beals, Peplau ve Gable'nin (2009) yaptığı bir araştırmada sosyal desteğin kendini gizleme ile iyilik hali arasındaki ilişkide aracılık rolüne sahip olduğu bulunmuştur.…”

Cigarette Smoking as Part of a Syndemic among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Ages 13–29 in New York City

“…[27][28][29][30] Moreover, these conditions are viewed as socially produced ills, in part explained by the discrimination and victimization experienced by YMSM. 14,15,[31][32][33][34] The socially induced mental health burden that YMSM experience both predisposes them to, and exacerbates the formation of, maladaptive behaviors including illicit drug use and unprotected sexual behavior. For example, YMSM may experience lower levels of self-esteem, and higher levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.…”