Sexual Attraction and Psychological Adjustment in Dutch Adolescents: Coping Style as a Mediator

Abstract

This study examined whether feelings of same-sex attraction (SSA) in 12- to 15-year-old Dutch adolescents were related to psychological health (self-esteem and psychological distress) and whether this relation was mediated by coping styles and moderated by biological sex. Data were collected from 1,546 high school students (802 boys and 744 girls; M age = 13.57 years) by means of standardized measurements. SSA was found to predict lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of psychological distress. Further analyses showed that passive coping style partly mediated these associations. This mediation was not moderated by biological sex. The findings suggest that in understanding and addressing mental health disparities between sexual minorities and heterosexual youth attention should be paid to intrapersonal psychological factors such as coping styles.

Drinking Motives, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Attraction in Youth

“…The more frequent consumption of alcohol to cope with personal worries among sexual minority youth compared to heterosexual youth is in line with findings regarding other maladaptive coping styles that have been found to explain psychological health disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth (Bos, Van Beusekom, & Sandfort, 2014). Our study also confirms the finding that the mediation effect of drinking to cope with negative emotions on the relationship between discrimination and alcohol-related problems was stronger for lesbian, gay and bisexual students than for heterosexual students (Borell et al, 2007).…”

Moderating role of coping in the association between minority stress and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among sexual and gender minority young adults

“…In addition, we examined to what extent active, avoidant, and passive coping styles were associated with suicidal ideation and attempts. Based on the previous findings (Benatov et al, 2020;Bos et al, 2014;Budge et al, 2013;Ong & Thompson, 2019;Speckens & Hawton, 2005), we hypothesized active coping to be associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts, and avoidant coping and passive coping to be associated with a higher likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts. Last, we explored whether these coping styles moderated the associations between minority stressors and suicidal ideation and attempts.…”

“…For example, qualitative research showed that (ethnically diverse) SGM youth might use avoidant coping strategies such as hiding their sexual orientation or gender identity (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2015 ; Kuper et al, 2014 ; van Bergen & Spiegel, 2014 ), or use direct problem‐solving to manage minority stress (van Bergen & Spiegel, 2014 ). In addition, quantitative research demonstrated that avoidant coping (Bos et al, 2014 ; Budge et al, 2013 ), palliative reactions (e.g. seeking distraction), passive reactions (e.g., brooding) (Bos et al, 2014 ), cognitive strategies (e.g., distraction), alternative‐seeking strategies (Toomey et al, 2018 ), emotion‐oriented coping strategies (Grossman et al, 2011 ), and maladaptive coping (e.g., such as self‐destruction and denial) (Lehavot, 2012 ) were all associated with poorer mental health among SGM individuals, including anxiety, psychological distress, and depressive symptoms.…”

“Somewhere over the rainbow”

“…LHB-jongeren hebben, bijvoorbeeld, een slechtere relatie met ouders en vrienden (interpersoonlijke factoren) in vergelijking met heteroseksuele jongeren en dit draagt ertoe bij dat zij ook meer psychosociale problemen hebben (Bos, Sandfort, De Bruyn, & Hakvoort, 2008). Ook blijkt dat seksuele minderheden een slechtere emotieregulatie hebben en meer destructieve copingstrategieën rapporteren (intrapersoonlijke kenmerken) dan heteroseksuele jongeren en dat dit dan ook weer samenhangt met de verschillen die we tussen beide groepen vinden in hun welbevinden en gezondheid (Bos, Van Beusekom, & Sandfort, 2014;Hatzenbuehler, McLaughin, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2008). Dergelijke onderzoeken zijn meer nodig!…”