The Mediator Role of Internalized Homophobia and Self-Compassion on the Link between Attachment Styles and Depression in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals

Zeynep Set,Ahmet Altınok,Ömer Faruk Şimşek

doi:10.19148/ijhbs.65157

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of internalized homophobia and self-compassion in the relationship between attachment styles and depression among lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals. The participants of the study consisted of 886 LGB individuals whose ages range from 18 to 30 ( =22.73, Sd=3.54). In collecting the data, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECRI- II), Self-Compassion Scale, Internalized Homophobia Scale (for Gay and Bisexual men), Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Demographic Information Form developed by the researcher were used. Within the context of the study, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was performed to test the proposed models and Maximum Likelihood was implemented as estimation method. In the findings of the study, it was found that internalized homophobia partially mediated the relationship between anxious attachment and depression among men whereas self-compassion didn’t play a mediating role in this relationship. On the other side, an indirect effect through self-compassion and internalized homophobia appeared in the relationship between avoidant attachment and depression while another indirect effect was found in the relationship between anxious attachment and depression among woman by means of only internalized homophobia. Results were discussed in the frame of relevant literature and suggestions were made.

Highlights

Bowlby (1973; 1980; 1982) has defined attachment as “a strong will an individual feels towards a differentiated and preferred figure, who is perceived as strong and mature, to build a relationship or to seek closeness when they feel afraid, tired or sick”;
The total scores taken from each subscale of the Internalized Homophobia Scale for Lesbians, which was used to determine the internalized homophobia levels of the female participants, were taken into models as an observed variable of the “internalized homophobia” implicit value
In this study, it was observed in gay and bisexual male individuals that internalized homophobia had a partial mediator effect on the link between anxious attachment and depression; and even though anxious attachment predicted self-compassion in a negative way, it was observed that selfcompassion had no mediator effect on depression

Summary

Introduction

Bowlby (1973; 1980; 1982) has defined attachment as “a strong will an individual feels towards a differentiated and preferred figure, who is perceived as strong and mature, to build a relationship or to seek closeness when they feel afraid, tired or sick”; (quoted from: Patterson and Moran, 1988). People develop insecure attachment styles due to negative parental experiences and it creates a risk factor in some identity disorders and mental health in childhood and adulthood (Dozier, Stovall, & Albus, 1999; Shorey & Snyder, 2006). Internalized homophobia has a significant relationship with psychological health including depression and anxiety symptoms, substance abuse disorders and suicidal thought (Di Placido, 1998; Meyer & Dean, 1998; Williamson, 2000). 2. Method This research is a descriptive study, and was conducted in accordance with the relational survey model to demonstrate the relationship between attachment styles, internalized homophobia, selfcompassion and depression in LGB individuals. One of the models was tested on male individuals (Figure 1) and the other one was tested on female individuals (Figure 2)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion