Religious Affiliation, Internalized Homonegativity and Depressive Symptoms: Unveiling Mental Health Inequalities among Brazilian Gay Men.

INTRODUCTION: Different religious narratives associate same-sex sexuality, in its various manifestations, with moral deviation or sin. Gay men who are socialized in more religious communities appear to experience and internalize greater levels of homonegativity, as well as to present greater indicators of depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate indicators of perceived homonegativity in the community and internalized, and signs/symptoms of depression reported by Brazilian gay men with a nominal religion and compare them to those reported by Atheists or Agnostics. METHOD: Our sample comprised 194 Brazilian gay men, distributed into three groups: Christians (Protestants and Catholics, n = 71; 36.6%); Spiritualists (Kardecists or religions of African origin, n = 52; 26.8%) and Atheists or Agnostics (n = 71; 36.6%). The following measurement instruments were used: sociodemographic questionnaire, Internalized Homophobia Scale and Beck Depression Scale. RESULTS: High mean scores of depression were verified in all groups, and 60% of the sample presented some level of depression. There was a higher level of self-reported homonegativity among Christians and Spiritualists compared to that reported by Atheists or Agnostics, with the differences between the groups being significant. The regression analysis indicated a significant effect of religion on homonegativity, but not on depression. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that gay men's chronic exposure to non-affirming religious affiliation contexts may harm the construction of a positive gay identity and should be taken into consideration when addressing mental health inequalities of sexual minorities.

Attitudes Toward Lesbians, Gay Men, and Their Rights in a Sample of Ecuadorian Cisgender Men and Women.

Since 1997, Ecuador has undergone a series of changes to ensure family rights to sexual minorities. However, there is still limited research regarding attitudes toward them. This study focused on the attitudes toward lesbians (L), gay men (G), and their rights. A sample of 318 cisgender Ecuadorians who responded to an online survey was recruited. Analyses indicated that men, heterosexuals, who practice their religion, attend more frequently to religious services, and identify as conservative showed higher levels of prejudice against LG as well as less support toward their rights. Further, participants who did not have LG acquaintances, friends, family members, and those who did not know any LG parented family showed less support toward these populations. Multiple regression analyses indicated that believing that a person's sexual orientation is learned significantly predicted the attitudes measured in our study. Implications of these findings to help reduce prejudice against LG individuals are discussed.

Internalización del estigma en personas LGB: Análisis de su impacto sobre la salud mental y la búsqueda de ayuda psicoterapéutica en Chile / Internalization of stigma in LGB people: Analysis of its impact on mental health and psychotherapeutic support in Chile

Resumen Antecedentes Estudios señalan que la internalización de creencias, prejuicios y actitudes existentes en la sociedad sobre las personas de la diversidad sexual afectan fuertemente su salud mental y podrían constituirse en una barrera de acceso a la ayuda psicológica y terapéutica en personas LGB. Objetivo Determinar la asociación entre los niveles de internalización de estigma sexual (ESI) en personas autoidentificadas como lesbianas, gay y bisexuales (LGB) con la presencia de malestar subjetivo, sintomatología depresiva y ansiosa, suicidalidad, y asistencia a psicoterapia. Método Un cuestionario aplicado de manera online que incluía preguntas sobre haber asistido o estar asistiendo a psicoterapia, además de escalas que evaluaban estigma sexual internalizado, malestar-bienestar subjetivo, depresión y suicidalidad fue respondido por 669 personas cisgenero autoidentificadas como lesbianas, gay y bisexuales. Resultados Los resultados muestran una asociación positiva entre el nivel de ESI en personas LGB con sus niveles de malestar subjetivo, sintomatología depresiva y ansiosa, y suicidalidad, y una asociación negativa con estar asistiendo o haber asistido a psicoterapia. Conclusiones Se discuten las implicancias de los resultados presentados para el desarrollo de intervenciones psicoterapéuticas culturalmente competentes para pacientes pertenecientes a la diversidad sexual y de género.

Abstract Background Studies indicate that the internalization of beliefs, prejudices and attitudes existing in society about sexual minorities strongly affect their mental health and could constitute a barrier to access to psychological and therapeutic support in LGB people. Objective To determine the association between levels of internalized sexual stigma (ISS) in self-identified lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people with the presence of subjective distress, depressive and anxious symptoms, suicidality, and psychotherapy attendance. Methods An online questionnaire including questions on having attended or attending psychotherapy, as well as scales assessing internalized sexual stigma, subjective distress-subjective well-being, depression, and suicidality was completed by 669 cisgender self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Results The results show a positive association between the level of ISS in LGB people with their levels of subjective distress, depressive and anxious symptomatology, and suicidality, and a negative association with being attending or having attended psychotherapy. Conclusions The implications of the results presented for the development of culturally competent psychotherapeutic interventions for patients belonging to sexual and gender diversity are discussed.

Mental Health and Life Satisfaction on Chilean Gay Men and Lesbian Women: The Role of Perceived Sexual Stigma, Internalized Homophobia, and Community Connectedness.

The Minority Stress Model has proposed that connectedness to a specific minority community may be a protective factor for stigmatized groups. This study evaluated the mediational role of connectedness with the gay men's and lesbian women's community on the relationship between two minority stressors (internalized homophobia and perceived sexual stigma) with anxiety-depressive symptomatology and life satisfaction. The sample consisted of 467 Chilean self-identified as gay men (57%) and lesbian women (43%). Results revealed that the two minority stressors were associated with anxiety-depressive symptomatology, but only internalized homophobia was associated with life satisfaction. The mediation hypothesis was partially supported by the relationship between internalized homophobia and life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, we found a negative association between connectedness with the gay men's and lesbian women's community and life satisfaction. This finding introduces a view that contrasts with the literature, which proposes that connectedness with the specific community would be a protective factor against sexual stigma.

"Eu tento não me esconder, nunca": estratégias utilizadas pelos profissionais gays e lésbicas para minimizar os estigmas sexuais nos espaços de trabalho / "I try not to hide, never": strategies used by gay and lesbian professionals to minimize sexual stigma in the workplace / "Nunca trato de ocultarme": estrategias que utilizan los profesionales gays y lesbianas para minimizar los estigmas sexuales en los lugares de trabajo

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as estratégias utilizadas por gays e lésbicas para evitar ou minimizar o estigma nos espaços de trabalho. Para tanto, baseia-se no conceito de estigma proposto por Goffman (1988). O método adotado foi o estudo de caso único. Foram realizadas entrevistas em 12 empresas localizadas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Ao todo, 15 profissionais foram entrevistados. A técnica de coleta de dados utilizada foi entrevista semiestruturada individual. Os resultados indicam que gays e lésbicas utilizam principalmente estratégias de acobertamento do estigma sexual. Eles preferem revelar a sua homossexualidade e lidar com as tensões geradas nas interações sociais, ao invés de ocultar tal informação. As estratégias encontradas foram: sinalização (deslizes intencionais); normalização (negam a existência do estigma sexual); e diferenciação (assumem a diferença e lutam contra o estigma sexual).

Abstract The objective of this paper is to analyze the strategies used by gays and lesbians to avoid or reduce stigma in the workplace. To this end, it is based on the concept of stigma proposed by Goffman (1988). The method adopted was the single case study. Interviews were conducted at 12 companies located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. In all, 15 professionals were interviewed. The data collection technique used was the individual semi-structured interview. The results show that gays and lesbians mainly use strategies to cover sexual stigma. They prefer to disclose their homosexuality and deal with the tensions generated in social interactions rather than allowing such information to be concealed. The strategies found were: signaling (intentional slips); normalization (they deny the existence of sexual stigma); and differentiation (they embrace the difference and fight against sexual stigma).

Resumen El propósito de este artículo es analizar las estrategias utilizadas por gays y lesbianas para evitar o minimizar el estigma en el lugar de trabajo. Por tanto, se basa en el concepto de estigma propuesto por Goffman (1988). El método adoptado fue un estudio de caso único. Las entrevistas se realizaron en 12 empresas ubicadas en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil. En total, se entrevistó a 15 profesionales. La técnica de recogida de datos utilizada fue una entrevista individual semiestructurada. Los resultados indican que los gays y lesbianas utilizan principalmente estrategias para encubrir el estigma sexual. Prefieren revelar su homosexualidad y lidiar con las tensiones generadas en las interacciones sociales, en lugar de retener dicha información. Las estrategias encontradas fueron: señalización (deslices intencionales); normalización (negar la existencia de estigma sexual); y diferenciación (asumir la diferencia y luchar contra el estigma sexual).

A Comparative Study of Attitudes Toward Same-Gender Parenting and Gay and Lesbian Rights in Portugal and in Mexico.

The belief that gay men and lesbians are unable to provide a stable environment in which to raise children fuels manifestations of sexual prejudice that are still highly prevalent in Portugal and Mexico. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes toward same-gender parenting and gay and lesbian rights, as well as beliefs about the controllability of homosexuality among a sample of 531 university students. A further aim was to assess the predictors of attitudes toward same-gender parenting. Results revealed the existence of ambivalent attitudes toward same-gender parenting. The belief that homosexuality is a choice and thus controllable in particular explained over 50% of the total variance of attitudes toward same-gender parenting. Being a man, older, and highly religious predicted higher levels of sexual prejudice regarding same-gender parenting. Comparative cross-cultural studies have the potential to highlight common features but also specificities of sexual prejudice.

The Experience of Sexual Stigma and the Increased Risk of Attempted Suicide in Young Brazilian People from Low Socioeconomic Group.

This study was intended to analyze the intersection of experience of sexual stigma low-socioeconomic status, and suicide attempt amongst young Brazilians (11-24 years old). In each of the data collection periods (2004-2006: n = 7185; 2010-2012: n = 2734), participants completed a questionnaire-based instrument. Network analysis provided support for a Minority Stress Model, oriented around whether participants had experienced sexual stigma. Although suicide attempts decreased by 20% for participants who had not experienced sexual stigma, there was a 60% increase for those who had experienced sexual stigma. Of particular note were the increases in rates of reported community and familial physical assault, molestation, and rape for those who had experienced sexual stigma. An analysis of centrality statistics demonstrated that both experiences of this Minority Stress Model were fundamentally different, and that those disparities increased over the time frame observed in this study. At the center of this model, shortest paths statistics exhibited a direct conditioned connection between experiencing sexual stigma and suicide attempts. We discuss the social and historical contexts that contributed to these dynamics, and emphasize the need for policy change.