Self-Compassion and Health in Sexual Minorities: Do Reductions in Internalized Homophobia, Better Sleep, and Less Depression Explain the Link?
Abstract
Purpose: LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) individuals experience persistent health disparities, including poor general health. Internalized homophobia, or negative attitudes directed toward one’s identity, is related to such outcomes, potentially via its deleterious impact on sleep and mood. However, self-compassion, encompassing self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, may mitigate these effects. Methods: We hypothesized that self-compassion would be positively associated with general health, and that this association would be serially mediated by internalized homophobia, sleep quality, and depression. Our national sample (N = 441) completed self-report measures. We conducted bivariate correlation and serial mediation regression analyses, covarying age, race, birth sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Results: Self-compassion was associated with lower internalized homophobia (β = −.06, SE = .03; 95% CI = −.12, −.00) and, sequentially, with better sleep quality (β = −.06, SE = .02; 95% CI = −.09, −.02), lower depression (β = −.86, SE = .11; 95% CI = −1.08, −.64), and better general health (β = −.04, SE = .01; 95% CI = −.06, −.03), a significant mediation effect (c = .03, p = .000; c’ = .01, p = .043). Conclusions: Self-compassion may reduce internalized homophobia by fostering a sense of shared identity and by counteracting rumination and over-identification with negative emotions, thereby promoting better sleep and mood, with benefits for health. Therapeutically, cultivating self-compassion (e.g., Compassion Focused Therapy; Loving Kindness Meditation) may be a culturally sensitive intervention target for LGBTQIA+ individuals, complementing traditional treatments for psychopathology, with downstream health benefits.
Start Time
15-4-2026 9:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 12:00 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
33
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate and Professional Degree Students, Residents, Fellows
Faculty Mentor
Jameson Hirsch
Self-Compassion and Health in Sexual Minorities: Do Reductions in Internalized Homophobia, Better Sleep, and Less Depression Explain the Link?
Culp Ballroom 316
Purpose: LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) individuals experience persistent health disparities, including poor general health. Internalized homophobia, or negative attitudes directed toward one’s identity, is related to such outcomes, potentially via its deleterious impact on sleep and mood. However, self-compassion, encompassing self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, may mitigate these effects. Methods: We hypothesized that self-compassion would be positively associated with general health, and that this association would be serially mediated by internalized homophobia, sleep quality, and depression. Our national sample (N = 441) completed self-report measures. We conducted bivariate correlation and serial mediation regression analyses, covarying age, race, birth sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Results: Self-compassion was associated with lower internalized homophobia (β = −.06, SE = .03; 95% CI = −.12, −.00) and, sequentially, with better sleep quality (β = −.06, SE = .02; 95% CI = −.09, −.02), lower depression (β = −.86, SE = .11; 95% CI = −1.08, −.64), and better general health (β = −.04, SE = .01; 95% CI = −.06, −.03), a significant mediation effect (c = .03, p = .000; c’ = .01, p = .043). Conclusions: Self-compassion may reduce internalized homophobia by fostering a sense of shared identity and by counteracting rumination and over-identification with negative emotions, thereby promoting better sleep and mood, with benefits for health. Therapeutically, cultivating self-compassion (e.g., Compassion Focused Therapy; Loving Kindness Meditation) may be a culturally sensitive intervention target for LGBTQIA+ individuals, complementing traditional treatments for psychopathology, with downstream health benefits.
