There has been increased interest in the concept of intersectionality within various fields, including psychology and sociology. Intersectionality refers to the ways that multiple identities can intersect and overlap, creating unique experiences and challenges for individuals. One group that has experienced significant marginalization due to their intersectional identities is the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This article will explore how intersectional identity influences access to social support, resilience-building, and coping strategies in LGBT populations.
Access to Social Support
Social support is critical for mental health and well-being, especially for those who experience marginalization due to their identity. The LGBT community faces barriers to accessing social support due to stigma, discrimination, and lack of acceptance from family, friends, and society.
Research suggests that intersectionality compounds these challenges, as members of the LGBT community who also identify as people of color, women, or disabled may face additional barriers to accessing social support.
A study found that Black LGBT individuals reported lower levels of social support than White LGBT individuals, likely due to greater exposure to racism and other forms of oppression (Matthews et al., 2016). Another study found that Latina/Latino LGBT youth were more likely to have internalized homophobia, which negatively impacts mental health outcomes and access to social support (Garcia & Kovach-Littman, 2017).
Resilience-Building
Intersectionality can also influence resilience-building among LGBT individuals. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with adversity and maintain positive psychological functioning despite challenging life circumstances. Research has shown that resilience can be enhanced through various factors such as social support, self-efficacy, and optimism (Cummings et al., 2014).
LGBT individuals who experience multiple forms of oppression may find it difficult to build resilience, as they must navigate multiple sources of marginalization simultaneously.
A study found that transgender individuals who identified as both female and African American experienced higher levels of discrimination compared to their cisgender counterparts (Ross et al., 2019). This increased level of discrimination may make it harder for these individuals to build resilience and cope effectively with stressors in their lives.
Coping Strategies
Intersectional identity can influence coping strategies used by LGBT populations. Coping strategies are the ways that people manage stress and adjust to difficult situations. Research suggests that LGBT individuals use different coping strategies than non-LGBT individuals due to their unique experiences of stigma and marginalization (Hatzenbuehler & McLaughlin, 2008). One common strategy is avoidance, where individuals try to distance themselves from societal pressures or expectations. Another strategy is internalization, where individuals accept negative messages about their identity and integrate them into their self-concept. While these strategies can be effective in the short term, they can lead to long-term psychological distress if not addressed. Intersectionality may further complicate this dynamic, as members of the LGBT community who also identify as people of color, women, or disabled may face additional barriers to accessing supportive environments and resources.
A study found that Black LGBT youth were more likely to engage in substance abuse and other risk behaviors compared to White LGBT youth (Kosciw et al., 2017), potentially indicating that they have fewer resources and supports available to them.
Intersectionality plays a significant role in influencing access to social support, resilience-building, and coping strategies among LGBT populations. Members of the LGBT community who experience multiple forms of oppression, such as those who identify as people of color, women, or disabled, may face greater challenges in navigating life's difficulties.
Research has shown that resilience can be enhanced through factors such as social support, self-efficacy, and optimism. It is crucial for society to create more inclusive and supportive environments for all individuals, regardless of their identities, to promote mental health and well-being for everyone.
How does intersectional identity influence access to social support, resilience-building, and coping strategies in LGBT populations?
Intersectionality is defined as "the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, ageism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups" (Merriam Webster Dictionary).