The current research findings indicate that individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, or otherwise non-heterosexual experience significant levels of distress due to prejudice and discrimination from society. This can have negative effects on their overall health, including emotional regulation, cognitive processes, and relational functioning.
LGBT populations frequently face societal stigma and discrimination, which can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. Chronic stress has been linked to reduced executive functioning, impaired memory, decreased attention span, and difficulties controlling emotions.
It is believed that these factors may also influence interpersonal interactions and relationships, leading to strained connections with family members, friends, and partners.
Societal erasure can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness within LGBT communities. This can further exacerbate mental health issues, making it difficult for individuals to seek help when needed. In addition, erasure can contribute to feelings of disconnection from one's identity and self-esteem, which are essential for maintaining positive mental health.
Chronic exposure to societal oppression can result in hypervigilance towards potential threats, causing individuals to be constantly on guard and unable to relax. This can impact how they process information, making them more prone to errors in judgment and decision-making. It can also make it difficult to trust others, leading to difficulty forming intimate bonds.
The current research suggests that LGBT individuals who experience chronic exposure to societal stigma, discrimination, or erasure may be at a greater risk for poorer emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and relational functioning than their non-LGBT counterparts. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that involves both individualized support and systemic changes to promote acceptance and inclusion.
How does chronic exposure to societal stigma, discrimination, or erasure affect emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and relational functioning in LGBT populations?
The research suggests that long-term experiences of social stigma, discrimination, and erasure can significantly impact emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and relational functioning among members of the LGBT community.