Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, non-binary, or otherwise gender/sexually diverse are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem than those who do not. This is due to the prevalence of discrimination against them based on their identities, such as social stigma, physical assault, verbal abuse, and exclusion from social and economic opportunities.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals report receiving emotional support from friends, family members, partners, coworkers, neighbors, religious leaders, and others who accept and affirm their identities. These perceived sources of social support may buffer the psychological impacts of discrimination by providing validation, encouragement, comfort, advice, guidance, and practical assistance. This article explores the empirical evidence for this hypothesis, considering factors such as identity disclosure, relationship quality, external resources, community affiliation, and individual resilience.
Research has found that individuals who openly share their sexual orientation or gender identity with others experience lower levels of depressive symptoms and greater well-being than those who conceal it (Savin-Williams et al., 2017). The social support received during these interactions can be instrumental in reducing internalized homophobia, improving self-acceptance, promoting positive identity development, and fostering a sense of belongingness (Burke & Coker, 2013; Burrow et al., 2018). It can also enhance one's ability to cope with daily microaggressions and minority stress, both of which are associated with increased distress and poorer mental health outcomes (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2014; Walsh et al., 2019). In addition, perceptions of social support can influence how LGBTQ+ individuals react to discriminatory events, leading them to feel more comfortable being themselves and less vulnerable to internalizing negative messages about their identities (Ryan et al., 2015; Shipherd et al., 2020).
Not all perceived sources of support are equally beneficial. Some studies have shown that religious leaders may actually reinforce prejudice by condemning LGBTQ+ behaviors as sinful or immoral, whereas other research indicates that spiritual communities provide a safe haven for members facing stigma outside the church walls (Perez-Felkner et al., 2016; Richman & Roseneil, 2019). Similarly, family members who reject an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity can exacerbate feelings of isolation and rejection, undermining the efficacy of their support (Nadal et al., 2017; Ryan et al., 2015). Further complicating matters, many LGBTQ+ individuals report experiencing high levels of discrimination from within their own communities due to structural inequalities and cultural attitudes (Lee et al., 2018; McCreath et al., 2019). As such, it is critical to consider the specific contexts in which social support operates and the quality of these relationships.
External resources, such as legal protections, political advocacy groups, healthcare services, community centers, and online forums, can also play a role in mitigating the psychological impacts of discrimination on LGBTQ+ individuals (Burrow et al., 2018; Walsh et al., 2019). These formal sources of support often complement interpersonal connections by providing practical assistance, emotional validation, and political empowerment (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2014; Nguyen et al., 2019). They may also help reduce the frequency and severity of microaggressions and macroaggressions faced by individuals belonging to marginalized identities (Ryan et al., 2015; Shipherd et al., 2020).
Access to these resources varies depending on geographic location, socio-economic status, and other demographic factors, limiting their availability to some members of the LGBTQ+ population.
Individual characteristics such as resilience and self-esteem have been found to influence how perceived support affects psychological well-being among LGBTQ+ individuals. Those who possess greater coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, and social support networks are better able to buffer against the negative effects of discrimination (Walsh et al., 2019). Likewise, those with higher levels of self-acceptance may be more likely to seek out supportive relationships and engage in proactive efforts to change attitudes within their communities (Nadal et al., 2017; Ryan et al., 2015).
These findings suggest that perceived social support can mitigate the psychological impacts of discrimination on LGBTQ+ individuals, but only when it is received from trustworthy sources in safe contexts and combined with external resources and personal attributes.
To what extent does perceived social support mitigate the negative psychological impacts of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals?
While research suggests that perceived social support can help buffer the negative psychological effects of discrimination on LGBTQ+ individuals (e. g. , depression, anxiety), there is no one-size-fits-all approach for all LGBTQ+ people.