Romantic attachment, LGB minority stress, and mental health

Abstract

Introduction The impact of attachment styles on mental health has been widely examined across diverse groups, yet the unique roles of these styles within sexual minority populations have only recently begun to be explored. The present study investigated the mediating effect of attachment style on the relationship of one aspect of sexual minority stress (termed negative LGB identity) and two indicators of mental health (i.e., psychological distress, self-esteem). Method Data from 284 LGB participants from the United States were gathered from an online survey and assessed in the present study. Results Negative LGB identity was correlated positively with both avoidant and anxious attachment. Further, negative LGB identity was also correlated positively with psychological distress and negatively with self-esteem. Two mediation models were assessed simultaneously using Hayes’ PROCESS Macro. Conclusion After accounting for attachment style, there was no longer a significant direct effect of negative LGB identity on either psychological distress or self-esteem, indicating mediation. Such a finding highlights the importance of one’s attachment style on mental health for sexual minority people. Limitations and directions for future research were addressed.