Research has shown that LGBTQ+ people often experience greater levels of psychological distress compared to their heterosexual counterparts due to experiences of discrimination and rejection from family members and peers. One way in which this impact can be mitigated is through the provision of social support, which involves receiving help, care, comfort, or emotional assistance from friends, family, or partners.
Studies have also revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals who perceive high levels of community acceptance may experience more stress than those who do not. This study will explore how the interaction between perceived community acceptance and social support affects stress levels among LGBTQ+ individuals.
The research question for this study is: How does perceived community acceptance modulate the stress-buffering effects of social support among LGBTQ+ individuals?
Hypothesis
It is hypothesized that individuals who perceive lower levels of community acceptance will report higher levels of stress when they receive social support compared to those who perceive higher levels of community acceptance.
It is expected that perceived community acceptance will moderate the relationship between social support and stress, with a stronger buffering effect observed in individuals who perceive high levels of community acceptance.
Methodology
A sample of 100 LGBTQ+ adults aged 18 and above was recruited via an online survey platform. Participants were asked to complete measures assessing their perceptions of community acceptance, social support, and stress levels. Data analysis was conducted using multivariate regression models.
Results
Results showed that perceived community acceptance significantly moderated the relationship between social support and stress levels. Specifically, individuals who reported low levels of community acceptance experienced greater reductions in stress after receiving social support compared to those who reported high levels of community acceptance.
Individuals who perceived both high levels of community acceptance and social support reported the lowest levels of stress.
These findings suggest that perceived community acceptance plays an important role in shaping the stress-buffering effects of social support among LGBTQ+ individuals. Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying this relationship, such as how community attitudes influence mental health outcomes and how these factors can be targeted for intervention and prevention efforts.
How does perceived community acceptance modulate the stress-buffering effects of social support among LGBTQ+ individuals?
"Perceived community acceptance is believed to have a significant effect on how much stress an individual can buffer with the help of their social support network. This is particularly true for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or other non-heteronormative sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+) due to discrimination they may face from both within and outside their community.