The (minority) stress of hiding: the effects of LGBT identities and social support on aging adults’ concern about housing

Abstract Background: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Nigeria experience social marginalization, discrimination and violence due to their sexual identity, which may negatively impact physical, mental, and sexual health outcomes. Studies on GBMSM in Africa utilize measurement scales developed largely for populations in the Global North. The validity and reliability of these instruments—to our knowledge—have never been thoroughly investigated among GBMSM in Nigeria. The aim of the current study was to determine the validity and reliability of the English versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-R), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and LGBT Minority Stress Measure among a large multi-state sample of GBMSM Nigeria.Methods: Between January and June 2019, we conducted cognitive interviews (N=30) and quantitative assessments (N=406) with GBMSM in Nigeria. The cognitive interviews assessed comprehension of scale items and elicited suggestions for scale modifications. The quantitative assessment was used to gather psychosocial health data and to evaluate psychometric properties and construct validity of the modified scales. We utilized confirmatory factor analysis to assess factor structure, correlation coefficients, and Cronbach’s alpha to examine scale validity and internal consistency. Results: Based on participant feedback from the cognitive interviews, we made slight modifications (i.e., culturally appropriate word substitutions) to all three scales. Results of quantitative analyses indicated good psychometric properties including high factor loadings, internal consistency and construct validity among the CESD-R, MSPSS, and LGBT Minority Stress Measure among GBMSM in Nigeria. Conclusion: These results suggests that modifying research scales to be more culturally relevant likely do not jeopardize their validity and reliability. We found that modified scales measuring depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and minority stress among GBMSM in Nigeria remained valid. More research is needed to explore whether the psychometric properties remain if the scales are translated into broken English (Pidgin) and other traditional Nigerian languages (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa).

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YouTube as my space: The relationships between YouTube, social connectedness, and (collective) self-esteem among LGBTQ individuals

New Media & Society ◽

10.1177/14614448211061830 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146144482110618

Author(s):

Bradley J. Bond ◽

Brandon Miller

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Social Connection ◽

Collective Self ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Youtube Videos ◽

Collective Self Esteem ◽

The Relationship

The objective of this study was to investigate YouTube as a venue for social connection among LGBTQ individuals ( N = 428). Exposure to LGBTQ YouTubers positively contributed to self-esteem and collective self-esteem (specific to the LGBTQ community). Social connectedness mediated the relationship between exposure to LGBTQ YouTubers and self-esteem, which was moderated by social support and outness. Viewing LGBTQ YouTubers was positively related to social connectedness among participants open about their LGBTQ identities and who reported the lowest social support, but negatively related to social connectedness among those concealing their LGBTQ identities and who reported very strong social support. Open-ended data suggest that entertainment and social connection were the primary motivations for viewing YouTube videos. Results are discussed in terms of minority stress, and the value of social media platforms for social connection with like-others among marginalized populations.

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Social Support and HIV Prevention Behaviors among urban HIV- Negative Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who Have Sex with Men

10.31234/osf.io/nh4g5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shayna Skakoon-Sparling ◽

Graham Berlin ◽

Nathan Lachowsky ◽

David M. Moore ◽

Gilles Lambert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Internalized Homonegativity ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Negative

Objective: Supportive social relationships can have direct positive effects on health and miti-gate the negative impact of stressors. This study investigated the main effect of perceived social support on STI/HIV risk and prevention behaviors. The buffering effect of perceived social support on the impact of proximal minority stressors, like internalized homonegativity, was also examined on one risk behavior specifically, condomless anal sex (CAS) without HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. Methods: HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) were recruited using respondent driven sampling from three major Canadian urban centers (n = 1,409). GBM completed measures of perceived social support, proximal minority stress, and engagement in STI/HIV risk and prevention behaviors. Results: Higher perceived social support was positively associated with a several health behaviors, in-cluding recent STI and HIV testing, discussing HIV status with prospective partners, the use of behavioral HIV-risk reduction strategies during sexual encounters, and a lower likelihood of en-gaging in CAS without PrEP. There was evidence of moderation as well. Among GBM with higher perceived social support, internalized homonegativity was no longer associated with in-creased odds of engaging in CAS without PrEP. Conclusions: The results of the current study advance social support theory to GBM in the context of biomedical prevention, showing both evidence of both direct associations and buffering effects on STI/HIV risk and prevention be-haviors. This highlights the importance of promoting social support seeking in interventions aimed at improving GBM health.

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Couple Therapy with Same-Sex and Gender-Variant (LGBT) Couples

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199783267.013.007 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Valory Mitchell

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Couple Therapy ◽

Social Structures ◽

Sex And Gender ◽

Same Sex ◽

Gender Variant ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

And Bisexual ◽

And Gender

Same-sex and gender-variant couples are similar to heterosexual/gender-traditional couples in many ways. However, lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples and couples with one or both transgender partners (LGBT couples) exist in a stigmatizing environment that provides no social structures for them. As a result, these couples face three types of challenges: minority stress, lack of social support, and role and relational ambiguity. The author reviews research on these three challenges and offers specific techniques to address them. A conceptual model creates a bridge between sociocultural challenges and the psychological-relational consequences, affording therapists an understanding of how to plan and implement effective interventions. In addition, seven basic premises provide parameters for work with LGBT couples.

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Friendship and Social Support: The Importance of Role Identity to Aging Adults

Social Work ◽

10.1093/sw/44.6.522 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 522-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

D. C. Siebert ◽

E. J. Mutran ◽

D. C. Reitzes

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Role Identity ◽

Aging Adults

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Social Support, Isolation, Loneliness, and Health Among Older Adults in the PRISM Randomized Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.728658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sara J. Czaja ◽

Jerad H. Moxley ◽

Wendy A. Rogers

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Network Size ◽

Functional Impairments ◽

Social Connectivity ◽

Social Network Size ◽

Socially Isolated ◽

Aging Adults

Objectives: Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health issues given the association with negative physical, mental; and cognitive health outcomes and increased risk for mortality. Due to changes in life circumstances many aging adults are socially isolated and experience loneliness. We examined the relationships among four correlated but distinct constructs: social network size, social support, social isolation, and loneliness as they relate to indices of health and wellbeing among diverse subpopulations of older adults. Guided by WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) we also examined factors that predict loneliness and social isolation.Methods: Analyses of baseline data from sample of older adults who participated in an intervention trial that examined the beneficial effects of a software system designed to support access to resources and information, and social connectivity. Participants included 300 individuals aged 65–98, who lived alone, were primarily of lower socio-economic status and ethnically diverse. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, self-report measures of health, depression, social network size, social support, and loneliness.Results: Loneliness was strongly associated with depression and self-ratings of health. In turn, greater social isolation and less social support were associated with greater loneliness. Social isolation was associated with depression and lower self-ratings of health. The association between social isolation and health was mediated by loneliness. Individuals in the older cohorts (80+) reported less social support. With respect to loneliness, having a smaller social network, more functional limitations, and limitations in engaging meaningful activities was associated with higher levels of loneliness and greater social isolation.Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of social connectively to wellbeing for older adults and suggest that those in the older cohorts, who have a small social network, and with greater physical and functional impairments may be particularly vulnerable to being socially isolated and lonely. The findings provide guidance for future interventions. In this regard, we discuss how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may be used to promote social connectivity and engagement. Strategies to make the usability and availability of these applications for aging adults are highlighted.

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Psychopathology and Perceived Discrimination Among Chinese International Students One Year into COVID-19: A Preregistered Comparative Study

10.31234/osf.io/mtk7w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kaiwen Bi ◽

Desmond Yeoh ◽

Qiwenjing Jiang ◽

Margaux Nicole Agnes Wienk ◽

Shuquan Chen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Online Learning ◽

International Students ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Perceived Discrimination ◽

Chinese International Students ◽

Self Report ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Background and Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese international students(CISs) experienced increased depression and anxiety associated with a combination of unique and universal COVID-19-related stressors. Among these factors, discrimination against Chinese is especially alarming. Therefore, studying correlates of distress including the association between discrimination and distress and factors intensifying or attenuating this link has important implications.Design: We adopted a cross-sectional self-report design.Methods: Our study compared depression and anxiety between CISs (N = 381) and Chinese students in Chinese colleges (CSCCs; N = 306) and examined correlates of distress and, in particular, the association between perceived discrimination and distress as well as moderators on this link within CISs.Results: Compared to CSCCs, CISs reported greater depression and anxiety. Depression was associated with being female, older, non-heterosexual, discrimination, coping inflexibility, low social support, and low satisfaction with online learning. Anxiety was associated with being female, older, heterosexual, discrimination, coping inflexibility, low social support, and low satisfaction with online learning. High perceived social support and being heterosexual weakened the association between discrimination and distress (anxiety and depression). Conclusions: Our study underscored the impact of the pandemic and related discrimination on CISs and highlighted individual differences that may warrant attention.Keywords: COVID-19, Chinese international students, psychopathology, perceived discrimination, intersectionality, minority stress

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