Sexual Minority Stigma and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Sexual Minorities: the Mediating Roles of Sexual Orientation Concealment, Self-Criticism, and Depression

Abstract

Introduction Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), a significant predictor of suicide, is more frequent in sexual minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) than in heterosexuals. The Minority Stress Model proposed that sexual minority stigma (SMS) may lead to maladaptive behaviors, including NSSI. However, the potential mechanism underlying the relationship between SMS and NSSI remains unclear. Therefore, the current study will examine the relationship between SMS and NSSI, and explore the serial mediating roles of sexual orientation concealment (SOC), self-criticism, and depression. Methods A total of 666 individuals who self-identified as sexual minorities (64.0% male, M age = 24.49 years, SD = 6.50) completed questionnaires of SMS, SOC, self-criticism, depression, and NSSI, in 2020. Results The findings indicated that (1) SMS, SOC, self-criticism, depression, and NSSI were positively correlated; (2) SOC, self-criticism, and depression independently played partial mediating roles between SMS and NSSI; and (3) SOC, self-criticism, and depression played serial mediating roles between SMS and NSSI. Conclusions The current study supported the relation between SMS and NSSI among Chinese sexual minorities, and also implied a potential mechanism underlying the relation. Specifically, SMS was related to increased NSSI by higher SOC, self-criticism, and depression. SOC had dual-edged effects on NSSI. Policy Implications To reduce NSSI and other psychological problems among sexual minorities, policy makers should take more measures to eliminate SMS. Specifically, policy makers are encouraged to provide more support for changing sexual minorities’ living environment, such as repealing bills that could cause SMS and popularizing the knowledge about sexual orientation.

Longitudinal effects of sexual minority stigma on depressive symptoms among young men who have sex with men: Distinguish between and within person effects

“…In this study, the mean scores of the SMS of the participants were stable, with: 15.3 in wave I, 15.7 in wave II, and 15.5 in wave III, this result is similar to studies conducted in other parts of China (Chen et al, 2022; Tan et al, 2022). The rate of DS among YMSM in all three waves of the survey was stable, fluctuating around 50% (52.4% in wave I, 49.6% in wave II, 50.1% in wave III), consistent with similar studies.…”

Authenticity, Well-being, and Minority Stress in LGB Individuals: A Scoping Review

“…Hatzenbuehler's (2009) psychological mediation framework suggests that this decreased hedonic and eudaimonic well-being reported by LGBTQIAP+ individuals is due, in part, to their experience of minority stress. Indeed, minority stress is associated with reduced hedonic (i.e., depression, suicide ideation) and eudaimonic (i.e., social connectedness) well-being (Baams et al, 2015;Chen et al, 2022;Chodzen et al, 2019). We contend that authenticity may be a yet underrecognized process that also contributes to this reduced well-being subsequent to minority stress experience.…”

What triggers depressive symptoms among gay and bisexual men? A sequential mediation model of sexual minority‐related stigma and self‐criticism

“…That is to say, self‐criticism, as a vulnerable self‐schema, can be seen as an underlying psychological cognitive process that is possibly dynamic and mutable rather than fixed and unchangeable (Blatt, 1974). Chen et al (2022) found a positive association between sexual minority stigma (i.e. perceived stigma and enacted stigma) and self‐criticism in 666 sexual minority individuals.…”