Intersectionality is defined as the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc., which create unique forms of oppression experienced by individuals within different societies. In recent times, researchers have focused their attention towards studying the effects of intersectionality on mental health, especially among queer adults. This paper examines how experiences of intersectional discrimination impact self-concept, coping strategies, and relational outcomes for queer adults. The paper also explores ways in which queer adults may be able to cope with these challenges effectively.
Self-Concept: Intersectional Discrimination and Self-Concept
Intersectional discrimination refers to the combination of various forms of oppression that an individual faces based on their identity, including but not limited to sexuality, gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, and physical appearance. Research has shown that experiencing multiple forms of discrimination can negatively impact one's self-concept and self-esteem.
Studies suggest that members of marginalized groups experience higher levels of internalized stigma and lower self-esteem compared to those who do not face such pressures (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2016). Similarly, previous studies indicate that LGBTQ+ individuals report poorer mental health than heterosexual individuals due to social exclusion and other negative factors associated with being a minority group (Cochran & Mays, 2008).
The extent to which experiences of intersectional discrimination affect self-concept is still debated.
Coping Strategies: Coping with Intersectional Discrimination
In addition to the effects on self-concept, research suggests that experiences of intersectional discrimination can also affect how people cope with their daily life situations. Queer adults may resort to different coping strategies such as avoidance, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, or meaning-based coping depending on the situation (Dasgupta & Greenberg, 2019). Avoidant coping involves ignoring or denying the issue, while problem-focused coping includes directly addressing it. Emotion-focused coping involves managing emotions through positive or negative means, whereas meaning-based coping involves finding new meanings in difficult circumstances. Studies have shown that queer adults tend to use more emotion-focused and less problem-focused coping strategies when they are experiencing interpersonal conflicts related to their sexual orientation (McKinley & Harper, 2014). This could be because these individuals may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of their identities and find it challenging to engage in direct confrontation (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2016).
Queer adults who experience higher levels of internalized homophobia tend to use more problem-focused coping mechanisms than those who do not (Dasgupta & Greenberg, 2019).
Relational Outcomes: Impact on Relationships
Research has shown that experiences of intersectional discrimination can impact an individual's relationships and ability to form healthy romantic connections. Queer adults often report feeling isolated and disconnected from others due to their unique identity, which can lead to difficulties establishing close relationships (McClain & Balsam, 2017).
Some studies suggest that queer adults who actively seek out support networks from other members of marginalized groups may experience better relational outcomes than those who do not (Matthews et al., 2018).
LGBTQ+ people who belong to religious communities or communities of color may benefit from the emotional support provided by such networks (Rodriguez, 2013).
Queer adults who have high self-esteem and positive self-concept are likely to experience better relationship satisfaction (Yeh et al., 2015).
This paper has discussed how intersectionality affects different aspects of queer adults' lives, including self-concept, coping strategies, and relational outcomes. Experiencing multiple forms of oppression based on one's sexuality, gender, race, etc., can significantly impact one's self-concept, leading to lower levels of self-esteem. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex interplay between various social identities and its effects on mental health and wellbeing.
The findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions and support systems to help individuals cope with the challenges associated with being a member of a minority group.
The study provides valuable insights into how intersectional discrimination can negatively affect queer adults and what steps they can take to improve their overall well-being.
How do experiences of intersectional discrimination affect self-concept, coping strategies, and relational outcomes in queer adults?
Queer people who face intersectional discrimination may struggle with their sense of identity and belongingness due to the pressure they experience from multiple marginalized identities. This can lead them to adopt negative coping strategies such as internalizing guilt and blame for not fitting into society's norms or relying on substances to escape their reality.