Internalized stigma, adult attachment, relationship satisfaction, and depression in Italian gay and bisexual men: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Abstract

Introduction Internalized sexual stigma, adult attachment, relationship satisfaction, and emotion regulation pay a major role in predicting depression in minority populations. Method We examined the variables in a sample of 165 gay (64.8%) and bisexual men (35.2%), ages 19-68 years (M = 36.2; SD = 11.6). Results Internalized stigma, attachment insecurity, relationship satisfaction, and emotion dysregulation predicted depression; emotion regulation mediated the relationship between internalized stigma and depression, between attachment and depression, as well as between relationship satisfaction and depression. Conclusion Findings suggest the importance of improving educational community programs on sexual prejudices and on social homo and bi-negativity.