The term "resilience" refers to an individual's ability to cope with stressful life events and adapt to them in healthy ways. Resilience is particularly important for members of marginalized groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) people who may face discrimination, rejection, and prejudice due to their identity. Research has shown that LGBTQ individuals experience higher levels of mental health problems than their heterosexual counterparts, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide attempts, and self-harm.
Some LGBTQ individuals are able to overcome these challenges and thrive despite experiencing social stigma. This raises the question of what psychological mechanisms promote resilience among LGBTQ individuals facing social stigma?
One potential mechanism is positive self-esteem. People with high self-esteem tend to have more confidence in their own worth and capabilities, which can help them bounce back from negative experiences. This is especially true for LGBTQ individuals who may receive negative messages about themselves due to societal prejudices. By affirming their identities and recognizing their strengths, they can build up their sense of self-worth and develop resilience.
One study found that LGBTQ individuals with high self-esteem were less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety compared to those with low self-esteem.
Another mechanism is having strong social support networks. Social support can provide emotional and practical assistance during difficult times, helping LGBTQ individuals cope with stressful events. This is important because research suggests that LGBTQ individuals often lack access to traditional forms of social support, such as family members or close friends, due to rejection or isolation. Building a network of supportive friends, colleagues, or community organizations can help LGBTQ individuals navigate social stigma and maintain their well-being. One study found that LGBTQ individuals with higher levels of social support had better mental health outcomes than those without it.
A third mechanism is developing coping skills. Coping strategies are techniques that people use to manage stress and adversity. Some common coping strategies include problem-solving, distraction, avoidance, and acceptance. LGBTQ individuals may use these strategies to deal with the daily challenges of living in a heteronormative society.
They may seek out LGBTQ-friendly spaces, like pride parades or online forums, to connect with others who share similar experiences. They may also engage in self-care activities like exercise or meditation to reduce stress. Research has shown that effective coping strategies can increase resilience among LGBTQ individuals facing discrimination.
In addition to these mechanisms, cultural identity can play a role in promoting resilience among LGBTQ individuals. Cultural identity refers to one's sense of belonging to a particular group based on shared values, beliefs, and traditions. Studies have found that LGBTQ individuals who strongly identify with their culture tend to have higher levels of resilience compared to those who do not. This could be because cultural identity provides a sense of validation and validation, which can buffer against negative experiences.
Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can promote resilience by helping individuals focus on the present moment and develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions. By training the brain to respond to stressors more effectively, mindfulness exercises can help LGBTQ individuals build resilience over time. One study found that LGBTQ individuals who practiced mindfulness reported higher levels of wellbeing than those who did not.
There are several psychological mechanisms that promote resilience among LGBTQ individuals experiencing social stigma. These include positive self-esteem, strong social support networks, effective coping skills, cultural identity, and mindfulness practices. By fostering these traits, LGBTQ individuals can better navigate challenges and thrive despite societal prejudices.
What psychological mechanisms promote resilience among LGBTQ individuals experiencing social stigma?
The researchers have found that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer may employ certain cognitive and behavioral strategies to cope with social stigmatization such as self-esteem building, stress management, support from significant others, and positive reframing of their identity (Aquilina et al. , 2017).