Heterosexist events and psychological problems: internalized homophobia as a mediator and perceived parental support as a moderator

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Psychology and Sexuality

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Introduction: Past research focusing on Western samples has demonstrated that heterosexist harassment, rejection, and discrimination (HHRD) were associated with psychological problems. How and when this relation would occur, however, remains unclear, especially for understudied Chinese sexual minorities. Method: A convenience sample of 1,453 Chinese lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals aged 18–50 participated in this study. They provided demographic information and completed measures of HHRD, internalised homophobia, perceived parental support for sexual orientation, anxiety, and depression. Structural equation modelling was conducted for data analyses. Results: Internalised homophobia partially accounted for the positive relation between HHRD and psychological problems (i.e. anxiety and depression). The indirect effect of HHRD on psychological problems through internalised homophobia was smaller when Chinese LGB persons had higher levels of perceived parental support for sexual orientation. Conclusions: Internalised homophobia might be an underlying mechanism for the relation between HHRD and psychological problems, and perceived parental support for sexual orientation may play a critical role in disrupting the pathway from HHRD to psychological problems through internalised homophobia.

ISSN

1941-9899

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

anxiety, depression, Heterosexist events, internalised homophobia, perceived parental support for sexual orientation

Scopus ID

85158875462

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

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