Individual and Community Resilience Factors Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer and Questioning Youth and Adults in Israel

Abstract

Drawing on resilience theories, this study examined the individual and community factors of Israeli lesbians, gays, bisexuals, queers, and questioning (LGBQs) that contribute to positive mental health and the degree to which individual and community protective factors mitigate the adverse effect of risk factors for poor mental health. Differences in resilience factors between LGBQ youth and adults were explored. Data were collected on 890 LGBQ youth and adults. Findings emphasize the role of community-level resilience factors in the lives of LGBQs, and that these support systems differ slightly between the two age groups. Among youth, family support was both a strong predictor for well-being and a protective factor for mental distress. Although family support was found as a resilience factor among adults as well, other community-level factors (friends' support, LGBT connectedness and having steady partner) were found as protective factors for poorer mental health. These findings suggest for efforts on fostering familial support for LGBQ youth and a multi-level system that offers support at the familial, peer, relationship and community levels for both LGBQ youth and adults.

Lifetime Doctor-Diagnosed Mental Health Conditions and Current Substance Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men Living in Vancouver, Canada

“…In spite of experiences of marginalization and discrimination, many GBM do not go on to develop mental health conditions or engage in harmful substance use. Shilo, Antebi, and Mor (2015) found that factors such as support of family and friends, meaningful connections with the LGBT community, and having a steady partner, protect against developing poorer mental health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning adults. Thus, more focus on factors such as these that promote resiliency in GBM would be beneficial to include in future research on mental health and substance use in these populations.…”

Is negative the new positive? Secondary transfer effect of exposure to LGBT portrayals in TV entertainment programs

“…Second, both groups are not visible minorities (in contrast to racial minorities and people with physical disabilities) and may not be recognizable at first contact. Third, according to the literature, both groups are stigmatized minorities (Harré, ; Hoyt, Morgenroth, & Burnette, ; Moss‐Racusin & Rabasco, ; Van Roekel et al, ; Shilo, Antebi, & Mor, ) and are sometimes socially excluded. That is, they may lack social contact and friendship networks.…”

Rejected by Family for Being Gay or Lesbian: Portrayals, Perceptions, and Resilience

“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t that social support is important in maintaining positive psychological health in the face of adversity (e.g., House, Umberson, & Landis, 1988;Southwick et al, 2005;Thoits, 1995;Wilson & Gillies, 2005) and in particular, studies have demonstrated the importance of supportive others, both LGBTI and heterosexual alike, in fostering resilience among LGBTI people (Gray et al, 2015;Scourfield et al, 2008;Shilo et al, 2015). Within this study, social support not only provided emotional and instrumental support, but it also challenged internalized negative beliefs of being non-heterosexual, provided acceptance, and fostered a sense of belonging.…”

“…LGBTI resilience-focused studies have uncovered additional protective factors which include safe and supportive others, safe places, resisting discrimination, viewing sexuality as natural, optimism and hope, emotional processing, being out, and being in a relationship (Foster, A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t & McDermott, 2008;Shilo, Antebi, & Mor, 2015). These protective factors have yet to be examined within the context of family rejection so it is unknown if and how they may buffer such adversity.…”