There are many ways that people can cope with stress and adversity. One way is through developing psychological resilience, which involves the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. This can be especially important for members of marginalized groups like LGBT individuals who often face discrimination and oppression. Social support has been found to play an important role in helping these individuals develop resilience. In this article, we will explore how social support contributes to psychological resilience among LGBT individuals facing marginalization or oppression.
Social support refers to the help and resources provided by friends, family, partners, and other individuals in one's life. It can take many forms, including emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support. Emotional support involves providing comfort and encouragement during times of distress. Instrumental support involves practical assistance such as helping with tasks or providing material resources. Informational support involves sharing information about coping strategies or offering advice. Appraisal support involves reassuring someone that they are capable of handling challenges and overcoming obstacles.
Research has shown that social support can have a positive impact on psychological resilience.
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals who received high levels of emotional support were more likely to recover quickly after experiencing trauma compared to those who did not receive any support. Another study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that participants who received instrumental support reported lower levels of depression and anxiety than those who did not.
For LGBT individuals, social support is particularly important because it can provide a sense of belonging and connection to others who share similar experiences. This can be especially helpful for those who may feel isolated due to discrimination or stigma.
Social support can help to normalize experiences and reduce feelings of shame or guilt associated with being LGBT.
Not all social support is created equal. Research has also shown that social support from people outside of the LGBT community can actually harm resilience. This is because these individuals may lack understanding or empathy for the unique challenges faced by LGBT individuals. Instead, researchers recommend seeking out support from other LGBT individuals or organizations that specialize in serving this population.
Social support plays an important role in developing psychological resilience among LGBT individuals facing marginalization or oppression. By providing emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support, friends, family, partners, and other individuals can help these individuals navigate difficult situations and build resilience. It is essential that individuals seek out support from individuals who understand their experiences and are able to offer understanding and validation.
How does social support contribute to psychological resilience among LGBT individuals facing marginalization or oppression?
Social support from family members, friends, and significant others plays an important role in building psychological resilience among LGBT individuals who face marginalization or oppression. According to a study by Balsam et al. (2014), individuals with higher levels of perceived social support were more likely to report greater resilience following experiences of discrimination.