The roles of discrimination and social support in the associations between outness and mental health outcomes among sexual minorities.

Abstract

Compared to heterosexual individuals, sexual minorities exhibit elevated risk for depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD). One psychosocial factor relevant to sexual minority mental health is outness, or the degree to which an individual discloses or conceals their sexual orientation. Previous findings are mixed regarding whether outness is associated with better or worse mental health, likely because outness can have positive consequences (e.g., social support) and negative consequences (e.g., discrimination). Support exists for both mechanisms, but previous studies have not simultaneously considered how outness may be related to mental health outcomes in different ways through social support versus discrimination. The present study examined: (a) the association between outness and depressive symptoms, (b) the association between outness and BPD symptoms, and (c) the indirect effects of outness on depressive/BPD symptoms through social support and discrimination. A total of 256 sexual minority participants completed an online or in-person survey. Greater outness was associated with lower depressive symptoms and BPD symptoms. There was an indirect effect of outness on depressive symptoms through social support, with greater outness being associated with greater social support and, in turn, lower depressive symptoms. Outness had an indirect effect on BPD symptoms through both social support and discrimination. Greater outness was associated with both greater social support and discrimination, with greater social support being associated with lower BPD symptoms, and greater discrimination with greater BPD symptoms. Outness may from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K08DA045575; PI: Brian A. Feinstein). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.

Application of minority stress and the interpersonal theory of suicide in bisexual+ versus gay/lesbian young adults

“…Consistent with prior research (Chang et al, 2021), bisexual+ participants reported higher concealment and lower discrimination compared with gay/lesbian participants. Being open about one's identity has both risks and benefits, including increased access to social support and LGBTQ+ communities as well as more possibilities for discrimination on the basis of one's identity (Chang et al, 2021).…”

“…Consistent with prior research (Chang et al, 2021), bisexual+ participants reported higher concealment and lower discrimination compared with gay/lesbian participants. Being open about one's identity has both risks and benefits, including increased access to social support and LGBTQ+ communities as well as more possibilities for discrimination on the basis of one's identity (Chang et al, 2021). Bisexual+ individuals may be more likely to conceal their bisexual+ identity due to negative attitudes and discrimination from both gay/lesbian and heterosexual individuals (Feinstein & Dyar, 2017).…”

New Ways of Supporting Child Abuse and Sexual Violence Survivors: a social justice call for an innovative commissioning pathway

“…Research shows that the way we are responded to when we decide to come 'out' as LGBTQ has a direct impact on the amount of so-called 'BPD traits' we are perceived to exhibit. [21] As LGBTQ+ survivors, we wouldn't conclude from this research that LGBTQ+ discrimination causes 'BPD', rather that discrimination of any kind is likely to induce mental distress, especially if someone is already dealing with the consequences of CSA and/or SV. It is possible that people who are having their discrimination experiences understood within a personality disorder framework, may increasingly do things like selfharm or feel suicidal to cope with this fact.…”

Need of Equity in Virtual Mental Health in Canada in the Times of COVID-19

“…Considering equity when developing informatics solutions including virtual care [6] is important. Particularly, minorities and BIPOC (Black Indigenous, and People of Color) communities experience high mental health challenges [7,8]. Providing equitable access to virtual mental health services with measurable indicators [9] becomes paramount.…”