Does Internalized Heterosexism Moderate the Link Between Heterosexist Events and Lesbians' Psychological Distress?

In the present study, we examined the additive and multiplicative associations of heterosexist discrimination, racist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, and internalized racism with psychological distress and well-being in 318 sexual minority People of Color. We tested multiplicative associations via two sets of interactions: cross-oppression (Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Racism, Racist Discrimination × Internalized Heterosexism) and same-oppression (Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Heterosexism, Racist Discrimination × Internalized Racism). Consistent with the additive perspective, heterosexist discrimination and internalized racism were uniquely positively associated with distress, whereas internalized heterosexism and internalized racism were uniquely negatively associated with well-being. The Heterosexist Discrimination × Internalized Racism and Racist Discrimination × Internalized Racism interactions were significant in relation to both distress and well-being. Internalized racism was associated with significantly poorer mental health until heterosexist and racist discrimination reached high levels. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice with sexual minority People of Color.

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Mediators of the Relationship Between Internalized Oppressions and Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Psychological Distress

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000007309490 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 575-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Dawn M. Szymanski ◽

Susan Kashubeck-West

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Internalized Heterosexism ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Mediational Role ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

This study examined the relationship of internalized oppressions to the psychological distress of 304 lesbian and bisexual women. In addition, it investigated whether self-esteem and social support mediated the relationship between internalized oppressions and mental health. Results indicate that after controlling for education, internalized sexism (IS) and internalized heterosexism/internalized homophobia (IH) are significant predictors of psychological distress and account for 17% of the variance. The interactions between IS and IH are not significant predictors of psychological distress. Furthermore, results reveal that self-esteem and social support fully mediate the relationships between IH and psychological distress. Social support was also found to fully mediate the relationship between IS and psychological distress. However, no support was found for the mediational role of self-esteem in the link between IS and psychological distress. Research and practice implications are discussed.

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Minority Stress and Psychological Distress Among Asian American Sexual Minority Persons 1Ψ7

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000010366167 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 848-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Dawn M. Szymanski ◽

Mi Ra Sung

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Asian American ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Minority Communities ◽

Relationship Problems ◽

Internalized Heterosexism ◽

Communities Of Color ◽

Multiple Minority

The purpose of this study was to examine multiple minority stressors (i.e., heterosexist events, racist events, heterosexism in communities of color, racism in sexual minority communities, race-related dating and relationship problems, internalized heterosexism or homophobia, outness to family, and outness to world) as they relate to the psychological distress of 144 Asian American lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) persons. When examined concomitantly, these minority stress variables accounted for approximately one third of the variance in psychological distress scores. Results indicate that heterosexism in communities of color, race-related dating and relationship problems in the LGBTQ community, internalized heterosexism, and outness to world were the only significant and unique predictors of Asian American LGBTQ persons’ psychological distress. In addition, no support was found for the moderating or mediating roles of outness in the internalized heterosexism-distress link.

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