The subject of this research is to analyze how cultivating pride, self-efficacy, and belonging can help queer adolescents cope with social stigma. This research includes three main parts: first, the definition of terms; second, an analysis of sources that study the influence of pride, self-efficacy, and belonging on queer adolescents' well-being; third, an evaluation of these influences based on the literature review.
Definition of Terms
Pride refers to the feeling of happiness and satisfaction from being proud of oneself. Self-efficacy is confidence in one's ability to perform a certain task. Belonging means having a sense of community, connection, and identity with others. Social stigma is discrimination against individuals who are different from societal norms. Queer adolescents are teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or another sexual minority group.
Influence of Pride, Self-Efficacy, and Belonging on Well-Being
Several studies have found that pride, self-efficacy, and belonging positively impacted queer adolescents' mental health, such as reducing depression and anxiety (Stonewall, 2017).
Stonewall (2017) conducted a survey of over 3,5000 queer young people aged 16–24 years old and found that those who reported higher levels of pride had better mental health than those with lower pride. Similarly, another study showed that queer youth with high self-esteem were less likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to their peers with low self-esteem (Ryan et al., 2019).
Another research demonstrated that belongingness was related to reduced rates of bullying victimization among LGBTQ+ students (Morrison & Jaffee, 2018). These findings suggest that cultivating pride, self-efficacy, and belonging may be effective strategies for mitigating the effects of social stigma on queer adolescents' well-being.
Evaluation
Although these findings are promising, there is still much room for further exploration regarding how best to promote pride, self-efficacy, and belonging among queer adolescents. Future research should investigate different ways to foster pride, self-efficacy, and belonging in this population, such as through school programs or community initiatives.
It would be beneficial to examine the potential long-term benefits of cultivating these qualities beyond just immediate improvements in mental health.
These studies demonstrate that providing supportive environments and resources can help alleviate some of the negative impacts of social stigma on queer adolescents' lives.
In what ways does the cultivation of pride, self-efficacy, and belonging mitigate the effects of social stigma for queer adolescents?
Pride, self-efficacy, and belonging are crucial factors that can help queer adolescents cope with social stigma. They allow individuals to embrace their identity, recognize their worthiness, and connect with others who share similar experiences, respectively. These elements play an essential role in reducing feelings of isolation, boosting confidence, and promoting resilience against negative perceptions from society.