Relationships between ruminations about one’s sexual orientation and gender identity and negative mental health symptoms are influenced by how LGBTQ individuals feel connected to the LGBTQ community, according to new research published in . The Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
People who felt cut off from the LGBTQ community during President Donald Trump’s presidency were more likely to experience negative mental health outcomes than those who had an average level of community ties. rice field. Unexpectedly, we also found that people with a high affinity for the LGBTQ community were more likely to experience negative mental health outcomes than those with an average level of connection. bottom.
The researchers were motivated to study the topic of community ties among LGBTQ individuals, recognizing that they may play an important role in their psychological well-being. attached. Previous research has shown that connecting with minority communities, such as the LGBTQ community, protects against anxiety and depressive symptoms, and leads to positive mental health outcomes such as improved self-esteem and resilience.
This study aimed to explore the impact of community ties, especially during political and social events that marginalize LGBTQ individuals. The Trump administration was chosen as a particular focus because it was known for proposing state and federal laws aimed at restricting the rights of sexual and sexual minority individuals. .
Researchers recognized the importance of studying the Trump administration in the context of LGBTQ mental health. Because the Trump administration was in stark contrast to the predecessor Obama administration. LGBTQ rights and protections have advanced significantly during the Obama administration. A sudden shift in the political climate from progress to potential setbacks can have profound implications for the mental health of LGBTQ individuals.
To conduct the study, researchers collected a sample of 250 sexual or sexual minority adults living in the United States. Participants were predominantly Caucasian and ranged in age from 18 to 61 years. Researchers used online recruitment methods and posted announcements on social media sites and online message boards for LGBTQ individuals. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires assessing various aspects of mental health and community ties.
To measure community connectedness, researchers used a scale that assesses individuals’ experiences of connecting with the LGBTQ community and the impact of anti-LGBTQ climate on mental health. They also used scales to measure rumination specifically related to sexual or sexual minority identities (e.g., ‘My sexual orientation makes me think about everything I don’t have’). ). This data collection was conducted between March and June 2018 as part of a larger study of the experiences of LGBTQ individuals during the Trump administration.
Researchers found that the relationship between rumination about sexual orientation and gender identity and negative mental health symptoms is influenced by community ties, but the effects are more complex than previously thought. I discovered something.
Contrary to the notion that more community ties are always better for mental health, this study found that participants who felt more connected to the LGBTQ community were more likely to be associated with rumination and negative mental health symptoms. turned out to be strong. This means that community ties do not necessarily prevent negative mental health effects.
“The findings of this study have important implications for counselors and clinicians. Our findings suggest that clients experiencing average intimacy with their communities are more likely to experience severe negative mental health outcomes,” the researchers wrote.
“In other words, for individuals who scored within one standard deviation of the mean for community ties, community ties were functioning as shown in previous studies, suggesting that individuals The more you feel, the less negative mental health consequences you will experience.” But for some, conversely, rumination increases when they feel so close to her LGBTQ community. This may be due to rumination within the LGBTQ community. ”
Interestingly, community ties did not moderate the relationship between transgender individuals’ gender identity ruminations and mental health. In other words, for transgender participants, feelings of connection with the LGBTQ community did not significantly affect the mental health effects of rumination.
These findings indicate that factors other than community ties may be more influential in shaping the mental health experience of transgender individuals. However, it is important to note that the small sample size of transgender participants in this study may limit the generalizability of these results.
The researchers also noted that participants in the study may have been influenced by negative experiences associated with anti-LGBTQ events during the Trump presidency. Future research should explore how community ties operate in different political contexts and consider the impact of long-running anti-LGBTQ and more supportive governments.
the study, “LGBTQ Rumination, Anxiety, Depression, and Community Connections in the Trump Eraby Rex Pulis Farrow, Kirsten A. Gonzalez, and G. Tyler Leffever.
