Romantic Satisfaction Interacting With Perceived Social Support To Buffer Negative Effects Of Minority Stress
The experience of discrimination and prejudice can have lasting impacts on mental health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses among members of marginalized groups. Research has shown that the intersectionality of race/ethnicity and gender can contribute to additional challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing minority stress. This study examines how romantic satisfaction interacts with perceived social support to buffer the negative effects of minority stress on psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Study Methodology
This study utilizes data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (AddHealth), which is a nationally representative sample of adolescents who were surveyed between 1994 and 2008. The sample was drawn from public schools across the United States, and participants completed surveys in both waves of the study. Participants reported their sexual orientation and gender identity during the baseline wave, as well as their experiences of discrimination and harassment based on these characteristics.
They provided information on their romantic relationships and perceived social support.
Results
Results showed that LGBTQ+ individuals who experienced higher levels of discrimination and harassment had lower levels of romantic satisfaction and perceived social support compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.
When controlling for demographic factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and parental education level, there was no significant interaction effect between romantic satisfaction and perceived social support in buffering the negative effects of minority stress on psychological well-being. This suggests that while romantic satisfaction may be important for promoting positive mental health outcomes, it does not appear to mitigate the impact of discrimination on LGBTQ+ individuals' psychological well-being.
Implications For Future Research And Practice
These findings suggest that interventions focused solely on improving romantic satisfaction or increasing perceptions of social support may not effectively address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing minority stress. Instead, more holistic approaches are needed to address the multiple sources of marginalization and oppression that members of this community face. Future research should explore alternative strategies for buffering the negative effects of minority stress, including advocacy for policies that promote equality and justice, increased access to culturally competent therapy services, and community building initiatives that provide a sense of belonging and connection for LGBTQ+ individuals.
How does romantic satisfaction interact with perceived social support to buffer the negative effects of minority stress?
Romantic satisfaction and perceived social support are both important factors that can influence an individual's mental health and well-being. In recent years, researchers have begun exploring how these two variables may work together to buffer the negative effects of minority stress on individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.