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Experiential Avoidance and Emotion Dysregulation as Mediators in the LGBTQ Minority Stress Model

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Abstract

Gender and sexual minorities are at increased risk for psychological disorders compared to the general population. The minority stress model has been proposed to explain these elevated rates of psychological distress. Per this model, minority stress factors (e.g., prejudice, discrimination, rejection, internalized homophobia/ transphobia) combine to create a unique stress which negatively impacts the mental health of gender and sexual minority individuals. With support for the general minority stress model established, attention has turned to investigating possible mediators in this model. In other words, how does minority stress cause psychological distress and negative mental health outcomes? The aim of the present study was to investigate experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation as potential mediators in the relationship between minority stress factors and psychological distress. Final parallel mediation models supported that experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation were significant mediators in the relationship between minority stress variables and psychological distress. These final models support that minority stress experiences, experiential avoidance, and emotion dysregulation are all factors that contribute to psychological distress in gender and sexual minority individuals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

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Funding

We received funding to support this project from the Graduate College at Western Michigan University through the Graduate Student Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Michigan University, 1903 Western Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, USA

    Allie M. Mann, Amy E. Naugle & Eva Lieberman

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  1. Allie M. Mann
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  2. Amy E. Naugle
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  3. Eva Lieberman
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Correspondence to Allie M. Mann.

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This study received appropriate approval from the university’s Institutional Review Board. Informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants before initiation of the study.

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Appendices

Appendix A

Minority Stress Scale- Revised

Please indicate the degree to which you agree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.

Because of my sexual orientation or gender identity:

 

Completely Disagree (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Completely Agree (5)

I have been the target of verbal aggressions

     

I have experienced physical aggressions

     

I have been discriminated against

     

I feel excluded from my society

     

Society welcomes me.*

     

I feel at a high risk of being abused

     

I live with more disadvantages compared to heterosexual or cisgender people

     

I expect to be the target of insults

     

I think my friends won’t accept me

     

I live a disadvantaged living condition compared to heterosexual or cisgender people

     

I should not disclose my sexual orientation or gender identity at my place of work because it may have negative consequences

     

Because of my sexual orientation or gender identity, I may be discriminated against:

 

Completely Disagree (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Completely Agree (5)

By the hospital staff

     

By my general practitioner

     

At my workplace

     

By my friends

     

Because of my sexual orientation or gender identity:

 

Completely Disagree (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Completely Agree (5)

I think my family would not accept me

     

I expect to be discriminated against by my family

     

The disclosure of my sexual orientation to my family has ruined our relationship

     

Rate your level agreement with the following statements

 

Completely Disagree (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Completely Agree (5)

Nobody knows about my sexual orientation or gender identity

     

My father knows about my sexual orientation or gender identity.*

     

My mother knows about my sexual orientation or gender identity.*

     

With whom do you talk about your love life:

 

No (1)

Yes (0)

   

My friends

     

My parents

     

My siblings

     

Relatives (e.g., uncles, aunts, cousins)

     

Rate your level of agreement with the following statements:

 

Completely Disagree (1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Completely Agree (5)

I wish I were not LGBT

     

My sexual orientation or gender identity causes me intense distress

     

I would change my sexual orientation or gender identity if I could

     

I am not happy with being LGBT

     

* = indicates item should be reverse coded for scoring.

Appendix B

Minority Stress Scale- Revised, Factor Loadings

Item

Factor 1

Factor 2

Factor 3

Factor 4

1

0.510

   

2

   

0.447

3

0.669

   

4

0.749

   

5

0.521

   

6

0.663

   

7

0.632

   

8

0.715

   

9

0.607

   

10

0.632

   

11

0.715

   

12

0.701

   

13

0.727

   

14

0.713

   

15

0.586

   

16

0.684

   

17

0.733

   

18

0.648

   

19

 

0.614

  

20

 

0.650

  

21

 

0.696

  

22

0.580

   

23

0.442

   

24

   

0.373

25

   

0.384

26

  

0.767

 

27

  

0.379

 

28

  

0.691

 

29

  

0.741

 

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Mann, A.M., Naugle, A.E. & Lieberman, E. Experiential Avoidance and Emotion Dysregulation as Mediators in the LGBTQ Minority Stress Model. Arch Sex Behav 51, 3443–3456 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02376-7

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