Abstract
Internalized sexual stigma (ISS) is one of the major issues that can compromise the health of sexual minority populations. This quantitative study aimed to examine: (1) the relationships of individual factors (gender, age, education level, sexual orientation, and age of identification of sexual orientation) and perceived family support with ISS; and (2) the associations of ISS with mood problems and the moderating effects of gender on the associations among Taiwanese young adult lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. In total, 500 male and 500 female young adult LGB individuals aged between 20 and 30 years participated in this study. The experience of ISS, individual (e.g., gender, age, education level, sexual orientation, and age of identification of sexual orientation) and environmental factors (perceived family), mood problems (e.g., anxiety and depression) were collected. The individual and environmental factors related to ISS and the associations of ISS with mood problems were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. The results indicated that gender, sexual orientation, age of identification of sexual orientation, and perceived family support were significantly associated with all or some dimensions of ISS in LGB individuals. Various dimensions of ISS had different relationships with anxiety and depression. Gender had moderating effects on the association between the identity dimension of ISS and sexual orientation as well as between the social discomfort dimension of ISS and anxiety. Various dimensions of ISS among LGB individuals should be routinely assessed by mental health service units. Intervention programs should be provided for LGB individuals, especially those with factors related to ISS.
Highlights
The mean (SD) age of participants was 24.6 years (3.0 years); nearly 90% had a college degree or above; 57% identified as homosexual; and the mean (SD) age at which they first identified their sexual orientation was 14.5 (3.9) years
The results indicated that the interaction between gender and sexual orientation was significantly associated with the identity dimension of Internalized sexual stigma (ISS), indicating that gender moderated the association between this dimension and sexual orientation
The results indicated that the interaction between gender and the social discomfort dimension of ISS was significantly associated with anxiety, indicating that gender moderated the association between social discomfort and anxiety
Summary
Internalized stigma is a process whereby individuals endorse stereotypes about their personal characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, health status, body shape, and gender or sexual orientation. Individuals with internalized stigma may anticipate social rejection, consider stereotypes to be self-relevant, and believe that they are devalued members of society [1,2]. Internalized stigma is prevalent among individuals with mental illnesses [3], HIV-AIDS [4], obesity [5], and drug and alcohol use [6] as well as among racial or ethnic [7].
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