LGBT strengths: Incorporating positive psychology into theory, research, training, and practice.

Abstract

This article serves as the first in a series of 4 articles providing a theoretically and empirically informed approach to understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and communities from the perspective of positive psychology. Termed LGBT strengths, this perspective aims to complement existing perspectives in LGBT psychology focused on distress and pathology to provide a more balanced and representative understanding of LGBT lives. In the present article we provide an introduction to the 3 pillar model of positive psychology and its relevance to the unique experiences of LGBT individuals. Drawing connections between positive psychology and related strengths-based concepts within the existing literature in LGBT psychology, we provide evidence for LGBT strengths across the 3 pillars and within diverse populations of sexual and gender minorities. Discussing the role and importance of fostering a psychological science of these strengths informed by an understanding of the diversity and complexity of LGBT lives, we conclude with an overview of the goals of this series and introduce the subsequent articles in the series which will address implications of LGBT strengths for theory, research, training, and practice.

Looking on the bright side of stigma: How stress-related growth facilitates adaptive coping among gay and bisexual men

“…This interest is especially salient for researchers studying the experiences of sexual minority individuals, who face substantial mental health disparities that can be mitigated by factors promoting resilience and empowerment (Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014). However, research in this area thus far has been largely exploratory and focused on the relationship between resilience and sexual identity development (e.g., Bonet et al, 2007).…”

“…In contrast, less work has focused on how positive concomitants of adaptation to stigma-related stress might facilitate coping and psychological adjustment among this population. This represents a noteworthy limitation in light of the increased emphasis on the role of psychological resilience, both in the general coping literature (Folkman & Moskowitz, 2000; Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004) and within the field of sexual minority identity development (Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014). Thus, the present investigation, utilizing a sample of gay and bisexual men, examined the association of stress-related growth (i.e., perceptions of positive personal or life changes as a result of stressful events; Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006) with anxiety and depressive symptoms.…”

Psychological Well-being Among Religious and Spiritual-identified Young Gay and Bisexual Men

“…Furthermore, our findings support the notion that psychological well-being among this vulnerable population is contingent upon a positive and healthy integration of identities that have historically been in conflict with one another – religious and sexual minority identities (Kubicek, McDavitt, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke 2009; Feinstein, Davila, & Yoneda 2011; Rodriguez, 2010; Sullivan & Wodarski, 2002). Despite this mental health disparity, casting religion and spiritual experiences in a purely negative or detrimental light incorrectly implies a lack of health-promoting qualities afforded by religious/spiritual affiliations for YGBM (Tan, 2005; Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014). In light of positively growing attitudinal trends within religious communities in respect to the acceptance, tolerance, and integration of sexual minorities into their communities, mental health professionals and community organizations that serve sexual minorities should explore how religious/spiritual YGBM can positive integrate their identities as a mental health-promoting strategy.…”

“…Ascertaining health outcomes through such broad measures is problematic as specific areas for recommendations and intervention development are hindered and become inconclusive at best. Prior studies with adolescents have also largely focused on assessing behavioral characteristics (e.g., religious participation) rather than functional factors (e.g., spiritual), even though these domains may play unique roles in health promotion (Cotton, Zebracki, Rosenthal, Tsevat, & Drotar, 2006; Vaughan & Rodriguez, 2014). Therefore, encapsulating one’s religious experience without examining the behavioral and functional domains simultaneously may be a disservice to our understanding of religiosity/spirituality in the lives of YGBM and the potential to develop religious and spiritual interventions for this population.…”

Family Resilience Amid Stigma and Discrimination: A Conceptual Model for Families Headed by Same‐Sex Parents

“…In light of the deficit‐comparison approach's shortcomings for understanding family strengths, researchers have called for the integration of a positive psychology approach to research on LG families (e.g., Vaughan & Rodriguez, ). Given the stigma that LG families face (e.g., Bos & van Balen, ; Goldberg & Smith, ), research oriented toward resilience—the ability to function well despite experiencing adversity—may be particularly useful in this regard, but has been largely absent from LG family research to date (Meyer, ).…”