Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Psychology
Date of Award
5-2015
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Stacey L. Williams
Committee Members
Ginni C. Blackhart, Matthew McBee
Abstract
Sexual minority individuals suffer stigmatization which often predicts negative mental health outcomes and low self-esteem. However, specific dimensions of identity have been shown to buffer against negative outcomes in racial minorities and other stigmatized groups. Yet, limited research has examined identity as a buffer for sexual minorities. This thesis aimed to explore the moderating role of identity characteristics between sexual stigma and mental health outcomes. Findings in a sample of 209 gays, lesbians, and bisexuals suggested that public stigma, centrality, and private regard predict psychological distress. Private regard also emerged as a predictor of self-esteem. Additionally, centrality and public stigma interacted such that those who reported higher centrality of sexual minority identity did not report decrements to self-esteem in the face of public stigma to the extent as those who reported lower centrality. These findings suggest centrality and private regard are key factors in the psychological well-being of sexual minorities.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Fredrick, Emma G., "Identity as a Buffer Against Negative Outcomes of Public Stigma Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2473. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2473
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.