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Violence and victimization of lesbians and gay men: Mental health consequences

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... crimes based on sexual orientation. Garnets, Herek, and Levy (1990) observed that a positive sense of self as a gay man, lesbian, or bisexual person is integral to coping effectively with the stresses created by societal prejudice. If experiencing a hate crime causes a victim's core identity to become directly linked to the heightened sense of vulnerability that typically follows victimization (Norris & Kaniasty, 1991), being homosexual or bisexual may subsequently be experienced as a source of danger, pain, and punishment rather than intimacy, love, and community (Garnets et al., 1990). ...
... Garnets, Herek, and Levy (1990) observed that a positive sense of self as a gay man, lesbian, or bisexual person is integral to coping effectively with the stresses created by societal prejudice. If experiencing a hate crime causes a victim's core identity to become directly linked to the heightened sense of vulnerability that typically follows victimization (Norris & Kaniasty, 1991), being homosexual or bisexual may subsequently be experienced as a source of danger, pain, and punishment rather than intimacy, love, and community (Garnets et al., 1990). Consequently, the impact of a hate crime would extend beyond the trauma routinely associated with criminal victimization, challenging the victim's sense of self as a gay man, lesbian, or bisexual. ...
... As a result, gay, lesbian, and bisexual crime victims may receive the message that they deserved their attack. Victims who harbor residual negative feelings about their sexual orientation may accept this notion, which could heighten their subsequent psychological distress (Garnets et al., 1990). Moreover, because one's identity as gay, lesbian, or bisexual usually develops outside of-often in opposition toone's family and community of origin, members of this population do not automatically enjoy family and community support when they are victimized, nor are they likely to be taught strategies for coping with prejudice from an early age. ...
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Questionnaire data about criminal victimization experiences were collected from 2,259 Sacramento-area lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (N = 1,170 women, 1,089 men). Approximately 1/5 of the women and 1/4 of the men had experienced victimization because of their adult sexual orientation. Hate crimes were less likely than nonbias crimes to have been reported to police. Compared with other recent crime victims, lesbian and gay hate-crime survivors manifested significantly more symptoms of depression, anger, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. They also displayed significantly more crime-related fears and beliefs, lower sense of mastery, and more attributions of their personal setbacks to sexual prejudice than did nonbias crime victims and nonvictims. Comparable differences were not observed among bisexuals. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing hate-crime survivors’ special needs in clinical settings and in public policy.
... An understanding of internalised homophobia and how it is understood "psychologically" in terms of the coming out process provides a link to theory which might provide a framework for understanding the ways in which homophobia and heterosexism disrupt mental health care encounters. Garnets et al (1990) have described the task of coming out as part of the inter-related challenge of overcoming internalized homophobia created by heterosexist stigma which involves a "process of reclaiming disowned or devalued parts of the self^ and developing an identity into vyhich one's sexuality is well integrated" (Garnets et al., 1990, p. 369). ...
... work, home, school, media, church, courts, streets, etc.), in which the homo/hetero binary distinction is at work whereby heterosexuality is privileged" (Plummer, 1992b, p. 19). Garnets et al (1990) have described heterosexism as "an ideological system that denies, denigrates and stigmatizes any non heterosexual form of behaviour, identity, relationship or community" (Garnets et al., 1990, p. 369). Butler (1993) has explained heterosexism fiirther to show the way in which it operates to make it appear as if heterosexuality is natural and superior to lesbian and gay sexuality. ...
... Silencing has also been found to disrupt coping mechanisms (Flowers and Buston, 2001) and to lead to the exacerbation of mental health problems (Proctor, 1994). Garnets et al (1990) have described the task of coming out as part of the inter-related challenge of overcoming internalized homophobia created by heterosexist stigma which involves a "process of reclaiming disowned or devalued parts of the self, and developing an identity into which one's sexuality is well integrated" (Garnets et al., 1990, p. 369). It can be seen though that many people's mental health care experiences of being "Othered", through pathologisation and through being silenced, will have the opposite effect and will reinforce internalised homophobia rather than helping lesbians and gay men to overcome it. ...
Thesis
p>This thesis explores the mental health care experiences of lesbians and gay men when they are ‘coming out’. It looks at how lesbians and gay men negotiate their sexual identities in mental health care contexts in which they have to manage the institutional homophobia and heterosexism embedded in the practice of nurses and other mental health care professionals. It is a qualitative study in which 48 lesbians and gay men, aged 17-55, participated in in-depth face to face interviews about their health care experiences. Innovative sampling approaches were used which reduced the sampling bias common in studies of hidden populations, and studies of lesbians and gay men in particular. Such sampling bias relates to social class, educational achievement, age, ethnicity and lesbian/gay community attachment. The data were analysed using a material-discursive approach which straddled epistemological divides in an attempt to side-step and overturn the dualisms which not only construct experiences but also limit out ability to conduct research into experience. The analysis was a bricolage using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Positioning Theory and some deconstructive techniques. This allowed an engagement with both the material aspects of experience which were more readily articulated and the discursive aspects of experience which were often in the realm of the ineffable. The analysis permitted an understanding of the ways that lesbians and gay men are silenced and pathologised in their mental health care encounters, how they resist pathologisation and erasure, and how such resistance restricts access to care. Recommendations are made about how nursing and health care can be made more accessible to lesbians and gay men with mental health issues relating to their sexual identity, through depathologising sexual identities and through questioning the usefulness of the concept of individualised patient care; this approach does not lead inevitably to cultural competence and can reinscribe oppression through erasure.</p
... Coming out is a unique case to explore identity work in which someone articulates, to themselves and the outside world, a part of their identity they had previously concealed or been unable to recognize. Because coming out can involve disapproval or estrangement from family and friends as well as broader society [61], it can also be a traumatic, isolating experience for those disconnected from local resources and/or immersed in queerphobic (prejudice against queer people) environments [40]. ...
... People seeking support for exploring LGBTQ identity have historically been placed under threat through systemic violence against LGBTQ people [40]. Furthermore, even if LGBTQ identity is not framed as negative, it is often omitted from record, denying its existence and thus contributing just as much harm as if the identity were stigmatized. ...
... Much of the difficulty around coming out stems from how LGBTQ people are depicted and treated by society. Furthermore, hostile treatment, bullying, and an overall negative depiction of LGBTQ people in media can contribute to trauma [40]. Some of the central experiences of trauma are helplessness, social isolation, and the loss of agency [53]. ...
Article
Online communities provide support for those who are vulnerable, such as LGBTQ people while coming out. Research shows that social support and personal narrative construction are important when recovering from personal crises and traumatic events. As an online community focused on writing fanfiction and also consisting of a large number of LGBTQ members, transformative fandom provides an opportunity to examine the relationship between support, crisis, and narrative. Through an interview study with 31 LGBTQ fanfiction authors, our findings mirror Herman's model of trauma recovery: these spaces self-organize to support recovery work through constructing "community narratives" that help LGBTQ people establish safety when exploring their identity and build LGBTQ support structures without publicly outing themselves before they are ready, challenge stereotypes, and support others through reshaping existing media that perpetuate inaccurate or harmful LGBTQ narratives. These online communities embody "selective visibility"--that is, though not specifically designed as support structures for identity work and recovery, their design allows people to selectively find and create communities of support for stigmatized issues that they might be unable to safely seek out in other spaces. Based on lessons learned, we generate insights that can inform the design of safe support spaces online.
... Importantly, both forms of violence can create psychological distress, as victims of violence are made to feel insecure and vulnerable. This can also lead GLB persons (or other victims) to question their own worth (Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990). Physical violence was an extreme form of dehumanization reported by participants. ...
... This form of violence can often result in significant emotional harm. As such, the damaging effects of "mere" words should not be minimized ( Garnets et al., 1990). ...
... As Garnets et al. (1990) attested, linguistic or symbolic forms of violence often serve as a reminder of the ever-present threat of other forms of violence. In fact, derogatory language such as that which was described by participants in this study works to reinforce a person's sense of being a socially acceptable target of physical violence ( Garnets et al., 1990). ...
Article
This study examines communicative stigmatization processes and their influence on self-concept clarity for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals (GLB) in the United States military. In-depth interviews were conducted with GLB (N = 16) military service members and veterans, and data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis. Findings revealed that GLB identity repudiation incites feelings of identity incongruity for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in the U.S. military. GLB identity repudiation was composed of three key communicative practices. Further, because non-heterosexuality was viewed as seemingly incompatible with the military identity, many participants struggled to integrate their two social identities effectively. As such, participants employed several strategies to manage their conflicting sexual and role identities.
... The violence directed at LGBTQs is called homophobia, transphobia or LGBTQ-phobia, and can be verbal, physical or discriminatory abuse, resulting in fear and mental anguish (Subhrajit, 2014;Garnets et al., 1992). Sexual discrimination is a daily site of struggle, caused by doing and performing a gender identity in ways considered inappropriate (Moran, 2018;te Brömmelstroet et al., 2017;Meyer, 2012;Corteen, 2002;Mason, 2001). ...
... Homophobic and transphobic violence is aggressive behaviour motivated by antagonism towards same-sex or non-cisgender identities (Mason, 2001). Queers are terrorized, living with constant fear of violence, which increases isolation, particularly among trans* folks (Perry and Dyck, 2014;Garnets et al., 1992). Gays are not bashed for being gay, but for looking or assumed to be gay. ...
... This is an added burden to closeted queers on top of their inner struggle. It is a multi-dimensional exclusion and oppression, as queers are discriminated, while also enduring the burden of mobility disadvantages (Garnets et al., 1992). ...
Thesis
Transport exclusion affects quality of life. Gender and sexual identities influence mobility opportunities that lead to social exclusion. This dissertation investigated travel and mobility behaviour of LGBTQ people to fill the gap about queer mobility and inclusive transport planning. That is to examine how queer identity, visibility and fear of harassment affect mobility opportunities and perception of safety while travelling; looking into the factors considered by queer people when planning and deciding to travel; how these factors affect the motivation and execution of travel when choosing mode/time of travel or destination’s activity; how queer exclusion is dispersed among different individuals on different modes; and present queer experiences and strategies when travelling. Likert-scales were created to measure Queer Identity, Fear, Transport Attitudes and Queer Mobility, as well as witnessing or experiencing anti-LGBTQ violence while travelling. An online survey and one-on-one interviews were commenced. Results showed negative transport attitudes contribute the most to changing or avoiding modes/routes/time of travel. Fear also had significant correlation with Queer Mobility, influencing it more than queer identity/visibility. 83% of participants have heard-of at least one violent incident directed at LGBTQs while travelling and 77% have experienced it themselves at least once. Walking and bus were found to be the least safe modes and waiting at a stop is the following least safe stage of a trip. Queers who walk and fear more, end-up altering their trip or queerness, to stay safe and achieve mobility. Trans* people significantly walk more to leisure destinations compared to non-trans people, thus putting themselves in more danger. Although majority of respondents suffered from anti-LGBTQ violence, their mobility was not drastically influenced, suggesting resistance is a travel strategy queers practice daily. Queers are not necessarily excluded from mobility opportunities, rather the prices they must pay are of identity and visibility compromisation and constant fear and alertness. Queers have a complex set of mobility considerations and mobility is another dimension of queers' discrimination.
... It has been argued that gay-related stress explains the high rates of emotional distress found among GLB individuals. The importance of gay-related stress for emotional distress has been discussed extensively for both GLB adults (e.g., DiPlacido, 1998;Garnets & D'Augelli, 1994;Garnets, Herek, &Levy, 1992) andGLB youths (e.g., D'Augelli, 1989;Martin & Hetrick, 1988;Savin-Williams, 1994). However, little empirical research has actually examined the hypothesized relation between gay-related stress and emotional distress. ...
... It has been argued that gay-related stress explains the high rates of emotional distress found among GLB individuals. The importance of gay-related stress for emotional distress has been discussed extensively for both GLB adults (e.g., DiPlacido, 1998;Garnets & D'Augelli, 1994;Garnets, Herek, &Levy, 1992) andGLB youths (e.g., D'Augelli, 1989;Martin & Hetrick, 1988;Savin-Williams, 1994). However, little empirical research has actually examined the hypothesized relation between gay-related stress and emotional distress. ...
Article
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The longitudinal relations between gay-related stress (i.e., gay-related stressful events, negative attitudes toward homosexuality, and discomfort with homosexuality) and emotional distress (i.e., anxious symptoms, depressive symptoms, and conduct problems) were examined at 3 assessment periods (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) among 140 gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths. Although some findings were consistent with the hypothesis that stress would be associated with subsequent distress among GLB youths, the larger number of nonsignificant relations and the presence of relations between distress and subsequent gay-related stress indicate that the hypothesis was unsupported. The authors discuss the potential reasons for the lack of hypothesized relations and offer suggestions for future research.
... Physical health consequences of sexual violence against men and boys include sexually-transmitted infections (STI), HIV, infertility, sexual dysfunctions, impotence, genital infections, genital injuries, blood in stools, abscesses and rupture of the rectum, diarrhoea, loss of body parts, chronic pain, palpitations and headaches [2,25,[29][30][31]. Non-genital and rectal injuries may include bruises and contusions, lacerations, ligature marks to ankles, wrists and neck and pattern injuries (hand prints, finger marks, belt marks, bite marks) [31]. ...
... LGBT persons who survive sexual violence may be confronted with the additional challenge of a heightened sense of vulnerability linked to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This type of hate crime may also instil fear and pressure among LGBT individuals to hide their sexual orientation or gender identity as a means to protect themselves from violence, and thus further aggravate mental health symptoms [29]. ...
Article
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Abstract Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls has been the subject of increasing research and scholarship. Less is known about the health of men, boys and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and other gender non-binary persons who survive CRSV. This paper is the first systematic realist review on medical, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions that focusses on male and LGBT survivors of CRSV. The review explores the gender differences in context, mechanisms and outcomes that underpin interventions addressing the health and psychosocial wellbeing of male and LGBT survivors. The aim is to contribute to the design and delivery of gender-sensitive and, when needed, gender-specific approaches for interventions that respond to specific needs of different groups of all survivors. We conducted a systematic search of academic and grey literature to identify medical and MHPSS interventions that included men, boys and LGBT survivors. We identified interventions specifically targeting women and girls that we used as comparators. We then purposively sampled studies from the fields of gender and health, and sexual abuse against men and LGBT people for theory building and testing. We identified 26 evaluations of interventions for survivors of CRSV. Nine studies included male survivors, twelve studies focussed exclusively on female survivors and one study targeted children and adolescents. No intervention evaluation focussed on LGBT survivors of CRSV. The interventions that included male survivors did not describe specific components for this population. Results of intervention evaluations that included male survivors were not disaggregated by gender, and some studies did not report the gender composition. Although some mental health and psychosocial consequences of sexual violence against men and boys may be similar among male and female survivors, the way each process trauma, display symptoms, seek help, adhere to treatment and improve their mental health differ by gender. Initiatives targeting male and LGBT survivors of CRSV need to be designed to actively address specific gender differences in access, adherence and response to MHPSS interventions. Models of care that are gender-sensitive and integrated to local resources are promising avenues to promote the health of male and LGBT survivors of CRSV.
... Anxiety responses may be more likely to occur shortly after victimization, whereas there may be a shift toward depressive symptoms over time. Further, there may be other important moderators between sexual victimization and depression, such as self-blame (Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990), which were not measured in the present study. Perhaps alcohol-involved sexual victimization does not result in depression overall-only among those who blame themselves for the event. ...
... While much has been done to combat female rape myths (Edwards, Turchik, Dardis, Reynolds, & Gidycz, 2011;Gidycz, Orchowski, & Edwards, 2011), little attention has been paid to male rape myths (Davies, Gilston, & Rogers, 2012). The internalization of male rape myths is associated with more self-blame and poorer outcomes after sexual victimization among men (Garnets et al., 1990). Males may also fail to report incidents of sexual victimization on surveys, even when their responses are anonymous. ...
Article
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Alcohol intoxication is often involved for both victims and perpetrators of sexual victimization. Yet, alcohol-involved sexual victimization research has mainly focused on female victims, excluding male victims. The current study addresses gaps in the literature by focusing on sex differences in the emotional harms (anxiety and depression symptomatology) experienced by sexual victimization victims when either the perpetrator or victim was drinking. Five-hundred-and-ten undergraduate drinkers (153 male; 357 female) participated. Models included two dichotomized predictors that occurred during participants’ first year of university (sexually victimized when the victim was drinking, sexually victimized by someone who was drinking), and two emotional outcomes (anxiety, depression). Age was controlled in all path analyses and sex was examined as a moderator. When predictors were examined in separate models, both predictors were associated with increased anxiety but not depression. These effects were significantly stronger among men. When both predictors were entered simultaneously, individuals who were victimized by someone drinking displayed increased anxiety, and this relationship was stronger among men than women victims. Being victimized when drinking was no longer associated with anxiety, consistent with prior findings that post-traumatic distress may be minimized when a trauma occurs while the victim is intoxicated. Results highlight the impact sexual victimization can have for both male and female victims, and point to the need for evidence-based policies to prevent emotional second-hand alcohol harms among male and female students alike. © 2018, Canadian Periodical for Community Studies Inc.. All rights reserved.
... [24][25][26] Findings from these studies have documented a profound impact of stigma on the social status, mental health, and quality of life of women living with HIV and on their utilization of HIV and antenatal health services. 24 Other research has focused on stigma specifically occurring with sexual orientation 27,28 and mental health conditions. [28][29][30] Collectively, qualitative and quantitative stigma studies have resulted in some shared dimensions of the stigma concept as it may relate to health and wellbeing, two of which represent the overwhelming focus of researchers and measurement. ...
... The lived experiences with internalized and enacted stigma described by these young women in the context of SRH and their communities were results consistent with conceptualizations noted in the literature on HIV/AIDs and mental health stigma. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Other domains of stigma that emerged as specific codes and themes here formalize the roles of community norms and disclosure within stigma, features that have been described as contextual dimensions of stigma in the broader literature, though not as predominant domains. 25 In the case of SRH, these young women struggled to balance and weigh multiple stigma identities -most of which had similar features but some of which were unique -related to different SRH experiences. ...
Article
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Adolescent pregnancy contributes to high maternal mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. We explored stigma surrounding adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and its impact on young Ghanaian women’s family planning (FP) outcomes. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 63 women ages 15-24 recruited from health facilities and schools in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Purposive sampling provided diversity in reproductive/relationship/socioeconomic/religious characteristics. Using both deductive and inductive approaches, our thematic analysis applied principles of grounded theory. Participants described adolescent SRH experiences as cutting across five stigma domains. First, community norms identified non-marital sex and its consequences (pregnancy, childbearing, abortion, sexually transmitted infections) as immoral, disrespectful, and disobedient, resulting in bad girl labeling. Second, enacted stigma entailed gossip, marginalization, and mistreatment from all community members, especially healthcare workers. Third, young sexually active, pregnant, and childbearing women experienced internalized stigma as disgrace, shame and shyness. Fourth, non-disclosure and secret-keeping were used to avoid/reduce stigma. Fifth, stigma resilience was achieved through social support. Collectively, SRH stigma precluded adolescents’ use of FP methods and services. Our resulting conceptual model of adolescent SRH stigma can guide health service, public health, and policy efforts to address unmet FP need and de-stigmatize SRH for young women worldwide.
... These beliefs not only trivialize the offense itself, but also silences the victims from discussing their experiences and seeking the needed help. While the vast majority of rape myths have been directed towards female victims; because females have always been believed to be the only victims of rape, more recent myths are rooted in expressions such as "men cannot be raped", "only gay men can be victims of rape", "real men would defend themselves against rape", "rape does not affect men as it does women," male rape can only be carried out in a prison", "homosexual and bisexual males deserve to be raped", "victims of rape asked for it", and "sexual assault by one's sex causes homosexuality" (Anderson, 2007;Donnelly & Kenyon, 1996;Garnets et al., 1990;Kassing & Prieto, 2003;Sarrel & Masters, 1982;Struckman-Johnson & Struckman-Johnson, 1992;Yeager & Fogel, 2006). Turchik & Edward (2012) further argued that these rape myths against the male gender are prevalent because of gender stereotypes and societal norms regarding masculinity and the sexuality of a man. ...
Thesis
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Little or nothing is really known about a man’s victimization in a domestic violence situation. Generally, domestic violence is viewed from the lens of a woman with the typical idea that women are the victims while men, are the perpetrators of violence. Over time, this societal perception is beginning to subside as researchers have proven that men are also victims of domestic violence (Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). Despite this revelation, not much is known about male victimization as most men prefer not to report their victimization. This study examines the reasons for not reporting victimization and the effect of this decision on men. The study does so by employing a cross-sectional research carried out in 1994-1996, that was designed to assess the prevalence and impact of violence and threat of violence on women and men across the United States.
... The findings showed that the pandemic has somehow affected people's daily lives and mental and social health [35] . People's negative experiences, such as mental health, social stigma, guilt, shame, and doubt during this period, were indicative of the negative aspects of the pandemic [36] . The findings of the study showed that those who or members of their family had caught the disease experienced more psychological, social, and physical challenges [37] . ...
Article
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A qualitative meta-synthesis was performed by a researcher based on a three-step meta-synthesis method described by Thomas and colleagues. MAXQDA 10 was used for data analysis. The present study is based on the guidelines for Enhancing transparency in reporting the meta-synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ). The reliability of this study had a Kappa coefficient of 0.660 with a consistency rate of 98.766%. Results: Finally, the data from 11 articles were analyzed. The main and sub-themes obtained in this study included negative aspects (chaos, hustle associated, dualities, bad body, value decay, seclusion, psychological challenges) as well as positive aspects (opportunities arising from the individual, family, and social stability).
... The findings showed that the pandemic has somehow affected people's daily lives and mental and social health [35] . People's negative experiences, such as mental health, social stigma, guilt, shame, and doubt during this period, were indicative of the negative aspects of the pandemic [36] . The findings of the study showed that those who or members of their family had caught the disease experienced more psychological, social, and physical challenges [37] . ...
Article
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Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, various aspects of human life were changed around the world. The present study aimed to provide a systematic review of the available evidence on lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a systematic review of the meta-synthesis type. Evidence from studies from 2019 to 2021 was used. Keywords of lived experiences, experiences, people, nation, patients, community, COVID-19, corona, and corona disease were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of articles. A qualitative meta-synthesis was performed by a researcher based on a three-step meta-synthesis method described by Thomas and colleagues. MAXQDA 10 was used for data analysis. The present study is based on the guidelines for Enhancing transparency in reporting the meta-synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ). The reliability of this study had a Kappa coefficient of 0.660 with a consistency rate of 98.766%. Results Finally, the data from 11 articles were analyzed. The main and sub-themes obtained in this study included negative aspects (chaos, hustle associated, dualities, bad body, value decay, seclusion, psychological challenges) as well as positive aspects (opportunities arising from the individual, family, and social stability). Conclusion Problems of life during COVID-19 should be considered as part of the COVID-19 pandemic care program. Individual assessments should normally be considered in a public health crisis. It is recommended to conduct serious, in-depth, and practical research in this field.
... This is supported by later work on online encounters, such as Livingstone and Haddon (2009) who found that, while males were more likely to encounter violent or hateful content, females were more likely to be negatively affected by it. For youth who may be the target of hate, studies also indicate this can lead to modified behaviors due to fear and emotional distress (Cowan & Mettrick, 2002;Garnets, Herek & Levy, 1992;Matsuda, 1989); and targeted individuals may develop defensive attitudes that can impede future social relationships (Leets, 2002). ...
Article
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As the most prolific users of the Internet, youth are exposed to a diverse array of harmful content and experiences, including cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. What is less well understood is the impact of hate and violent extremism on youth in these online spaces. This study surveyed over 800 youth from Alberta, Canada, to identify where they most frequently encountered hateful and extremist content online, how they react to it, and what they believed were the most appropriate responses to these problems. This study adds to a growing literature which takes youth perspectives seriously in the study of this problem. Our study found that more than three-quarters of youth surveyed reported encountering hateful content, while more than two-thirds reported encountering extremist content. Our findings add to a growing debate on the relationship between identity factors and exposure. While our results indicate respondents who identify as female are more likely to report encountering extremist and hateful content than males, intersectionality factors shed new light on the patterns of online exposure among youth. Specifically, we found that the effect of gender is mediated by other identity factors, like being a visible minority or identifying as 2SLGBTQ+.
... Defined as "prejudicial, stereotyped or false beliefs about rape, rape victims and rapists" (Turchik and Edwards, 2012), or it can also be understood as "prescriptive or descriptive beliefs about rape that serve to deny, downplay or justify sexual violence" (Smith and Skinner, 2017), rape myths are usually related to the identity of the person involved in the rape, either the victims or the perpetrator. In current studies on male rape myths, it can be summarised that male victims may be subjugated to any of these: (a) men cannot be raped; (b) 'real' men can defend themselves against rape; (c) only gay men are victims/perpetrators of male rape; (d) men are not affected by rape (not as much as women); (e) a woman cannot sexually assault a man; (f) male rape only happens in prisons; (g) sexual assault by someone of the same sex leads to homosexuality; (h) homosexual and bisexual individuals deserve to be sexually assaulted because they are immoral and deviant; and (i) if a victim physically responds to an assault, he must have wanted it (Turchik and Edwards, 2012;Anderson, 2007;Donnelly and Kenyon, 1996;Garnets, Herek and Levy, 1990;Kassing and Prieto, 2003;Sarrel and Masters, 1982;Struckman-Johnson, 1992, 1994;Yeager and Fogel, 2006). From this list, we can infer that these myths stem from deeply rooted stereotyped gender traits and socially expected roles , together with forms of oppression, sexism, and homophobia (Javaid, 2015). ...
Article
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The criminal justice system despises and punishes what is known as traditional rape, which entails male-on-female rape in which the female is the victim and the male is the offender. Now, the modernisation of society has acknowledged that rape may occur to men by women as offenders but the law, however, remains hesitant, almost unwilling to react to these changes. The purpose of this study is to identify the loophole in the legal system in attending to this emerging male-on-female rape cases and its ground of refusal with further discussion from the perspective of justice. This paper uses the library research method and the data were critically analysed from the perspective of the concept of justice to determine if this hesitancy leads to injustice in the implementation of the law itself. The result of this article shows that despite the existence of male rape cases in society, the legal development does not correspond to expanding the legal definition of rape to include female-on-male rape, which somehow gives rise to injustice and discrimination against male victims. The importance of this research lies in the awareness needed for the legal system to evolve in line with societal development and current rape incidences. Better understanding and acknowledgement of the problems will help accommodate the legal system to uphold justice for its subjects despite the differences in society.
... Considering this evidence, the presence and availability of sexual minority youth support organizations, support groups, and the school presence of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools seems especially important, because they not only support the individual, but also provide social connectedness with others and a sense of belonging (Berkman, 1995). This was supported by evidence from research conducted by Lee and Robbins context as hostile may lead to maladaptive responses, decreased self-esteem, and aggression toward oneself and toward other sexual minority individuals (Garnets et al., 1990;Herek et al., 2009;Frost & Meyer, 2009;Szymanski & Gupta, 2009). ...
... Victimization refers to a continuum of negative reactions to one's sexuality, ranging from verbal harassment to physical violence (Garnets et al., 2003). As anxiety consists of excessive worrying about the possible negative outcomes of a potentially threatening situation (DSM-5, American Psychological Association-APA, 2013), it is understandable that previous experiences of victimization (which are harmful to the individual specifically) should be associated with anxiety symptoms. ...
Article
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Two cross-sectional survey studies were conducted to examine the relationships between minority stressors, protective factors and mental health outcomes in lesbian, gay and bisexual people (LGB) in the United Kingdom (UK). A convenience sample of 156 LGB people in the UK participated in Study 1. Multiple regression analyses showed that victimization and sexuality-related identity threat were positively associated with anxiety and that identity resilience, social support and degree of outness were negative correlates; and that rejection was negatively associated with depression while identity resilience and social support were negative correlates. In Study 2, based on a convenience sample of 333 gay men, our structural equation model showed that ethnic minority status, lower identity resilience and higher identity threat were associated with greater distress; ethnic minority status was associated with less social support and more internalized homonegativity; being single was associated with less social support and more internalized homonegativity; identity resilience was positively associated with social support and negatively associated with internalized homonegativity; identity threat was associated with less social support and more internalized homonegativity; internalized homonegativity was negatively associated with social support; and social support was negatively associated with distress while internalized homonegativity was positively associated with distress. Findings show differential effects of particular stressors on particular mental health outcomes in LGB people and the significance of promoting identity resilience, social support and degree of outness as protective factors.
... Minority stress focuses attention on conditions of stigma and prejudice that can cause or exacerbate health disparities (Meyer 2015). The greatest sources of minority stress are rejection, discrimination, and violence that minority persons experience because of their stigmatized minority position within society (Garnets et al. 1990). ...
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In this chapter, we provide an overview of a qualitative study exploring the psychosocial needs of third gender people living with HIV in Hyderabad, India. We applied Meyer’s minority stress theory as our theoretical framework to analyze the lived experiences of third gender people living with HIV in Hyderabad, India. We completed 16 in-depth interviews that were digitally audio-recorded in Telugu and Hindi, then were translated and transcribed directly into English. Using thematic content analysis, a team of four coders read the transcripts multiple times and categorized themes into broad groupings. Through an iterative process of team discussions, we regrouped these themes as we continued to code the transcripts. Four key themes emerged from our analysis: (1) limited economic opportunities outside of sex work; (2) lack of accountability for complaints regarding abuses against third gender people; (3) limited access to gender-affirming HIV medical care; and (4) resilience against social stigma. These themes highlight that greater research and programmatic support needs to be paid in order to more fully address the psychosocial needs of third gender people living with HIV in Hyderabad.KeywordsGender-affirmingHijraHIVHyderabadMedical careMinority stress theorySex workSexual assaultStigmaThird genderTransgender
... Thus, the lack of interpersonal connectedness within a situation of mental pain could promote cognitions of "tunnel vision" (Orbach, 1994) and the feeling that no option remains besides suicide. Social contact would thus seem to be vital for LGBT individuals, as the experience of forming an LGBT identity may, at times, lead to social isolation (Garnets et al., 2003). ...
Article
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Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals (LGBT) are at high risk for suicide. This study aimed to examine an integrative psychological model of risk factors among LGBT individuals and explore the psychological pathways connecting social stigma, mental pain, and interpersonal characteristics to suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB) in this population. LGBT adults ( N = 473) responded to an online questionnaire about stigma, mental pain, interpersonal characteristics, as well as suicidal ideation and behaviors. We found group differences between LGBT respondents in the study variables: Transgender people reported the highest levels of SIB and depression, closely followed by bisexuals. The association between stigma-related variables and SIB was mediated by depression, entrapment, and perceived burdensomeness. These results highlight the role of entrapment and burdensomeness in facilitating suicide risk among LGBT adults, as they may increase the damaging effect of negative societal stigma against LGBTs and thus, elevate the suicide risk in this population.
... This includes hospital visitation and lack of recognition from social workers or victim assistance programs. This treatment only emphasizes for the couple their difference and lack of support within the health care and social work systems (Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 2003). In response to these issues, the Health and Human Services Department has created new policy for partners seeking to support each other in the hospital and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has increased enforcement of same-sex couples rights. ...
Thesis
The purpose of the research was to illustrate how the health of LGBT persons are affected by stigma, discrimination, and bias within the state of Michigan. It will be researched through answering these questions: Statement about the health of the LGBT population. Did the LGBT person feel they were treated worse than other sexual identities? How did their experiences differ when seeking health care? Had they experienced physical symptoms as a result of how they were treated? Research in the area of LGBT health states that there is a lack of access to health care, there is discrimination and bias when they received care and that there was an increased need of mental health services. Methods: This study utilized a cross sectional design to via an anonymous online survey for LGBT people over the age of 18 living in the state of Michigan. The survey was implemented Qualtrics Software, took about 3 0 -4 5 minutes to complete, and was advertised through email, a Facebook event, and word of mouth. It was a cross-sectional study and a descriptive analysis was performed using the same Qualtrics software and SPSS Statistics 17.0. Results: Respondents were predominately white women with higher education and who identified as heterosexual. Thus the sample size for comparison was small giving a limited scope of health and health experiences for LGBT people in Michigan. Future research should include a filter question to make sure that the majority of people who fill out the survey are in fact LGBT. For the next survey using self identification instead of predetermined categories will allow for more information gathering from subjects about gender identity and sexual orientation. Questions with regard to health outcomes would be beneficial. Having a larger sample size is necessary. Conclusions: Access to care was not a problem which is inconsistent with what the literature review stated. Respondents did not rate their physical health as poor or bad. They stated that they did not feel they were having different experiences than heterosexuals while receiving care. The majority stated that they did not experience physical symptoms based on their treatment but they did experience more negative events daily than their heterosexual counterparts. These negative experiences add stress to their everyday lives. Finally, respondents did engage in smoking and drinking alcohol at a higher rate than their heterosexual counterparts but at a lower rate than was reported for Genesee County in their 2010 Speak to Your Health Survey. Overall the experience of the LGBT population surveyed was similar to that of the heterosexual population which is inconsistent of what the literature review suggested. Future health interventions with this population should then not necessarily be focused on the care provider but on mental health including stress management and dealing with stressful situations. This was consistent with the literature.
... (9) Assim, mesmo com a política reafirmando o compromisso do SUS com a universalidade e a integralidade através de ações de promoção e prevenção da saúde, ainda é possível ver problemas na sua implementação. Questões como a falta de recursos, homofobia (16) , machismo, sexismo e a heteronormatividade enraizada (17) ainda são barreiras que atrapalham e dificultam o acesso e a qualidade do cuidado oferecido às mulheres homossexuais. (5) É possível perceber que o principio da equidade presente na PNSILGBT é inadimplido, à medida que o preconceito está enraizado na sociedade e principalmente dentro das instituições de saúde. ...
Article
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Objetivo: Compreender os atravessamentos e questões presentes na saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres lésbicas e seu acesso à saúde. Métodos: Revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada entre 26 de julho e 04 de agosto de 2020. Foram estabelecidos os seguintes critérios de inclusão: somente considerar a literatura mais recente dos anos de 2017 a 2019; bem como estudos de acordo com o tema central desta revisão. Critérios de exclusão: considerar exclusivamente a literatura em língua portuguesa, como também não utilizar trabalhos repetidos em outras bases de dados. Seis artigos foram escolhidos. Com base nos trabalhos selecionados, foi elaborado um quadro de matriz teórica, a fim de guiar o pesquisador ao desdobramento do método e análise da pesquisa. Resultados: Da leitura e análise das publicações, ascenderam três eixos temáticos: (in)visibilidade em foco na saúde; acesso ao conhecimento e vulnerabilidade às infecções; a relação com os profissionais da saúde. Conclusão: É possível concluir que, na saúde, as especificidades das mulheres lésbicas ainda não são muito observadas, o que as tornam invisíveis dentro do sistema. Dessa forma, elas são mais vulneráveis a fatores de risco à sua saúde quando comparadas a outras mulheres.Descritores: Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero. Saúde pública. Acesso aos serviços de saúde.
... ences of enacted and felt stigma and victimization based on their sexual orientation as compared to females (Herek, 2007). Moreover, as compared to Lesbians, Gays are more criticized and rejected by their families. As the society becomes somewhat more accepting of homosexuality overall, research shows more societal tolerance for Lesbians than Gays (Garnets et. al., 1990). So, on one hand, Gays are more victimized and on the other hand, they derive less social support as compared to Lesbians. All of these factors account for differences in their coping ability. ...
Article
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The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community constitutes the stigmatized and marginalized section of the "heterosexist" society. It attempts to probe into their Cognitive emotion regulation and Locus of control. Using Klein Sexual Orientation Grid, homosexuals and bisexuals, were selected to constitute Other sexual orientation group, on basis of sexual orientation and heterosexuals were selected to constitute Heterosexual orientation group, after screening them with General Health Questionnaire – 28. Following this, Transgenders were screened using The Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults. The Other sexual orientation group was then renamed as LGBT group. They were assessed using Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Rotter's Internal – External Locus of Control Scale. The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed significant differences between Heterosexual orientation and Other sexual orientation group whereby the latter tend to cope with stressors with more Negative Cognitive Emotion Regulation strategies and have internal locus of control. Significant differences were found in LGBT group whereby Transgenders use significantly higher Negative Cognitive Emotion Regulation strategies, followed by Bisexuals, Gays and Lesbians. Lesbians use significantly higher Positive Cognitive Emotion Regulation strategies, followed by Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders. Lesbians have significantly higher external locus of control followed by Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders. Although having certain limitations, the study highlights the need for extending psychotherapeutic intervention in the LGBT community. Keywords - Cognitive emotion regulation, Gender identity, LGBT, Locus of control, Sexual orientation
... Expectations of stigma point to a sexual minority member's anticipation of rejection and discrimination by the society for being a sexual minority and, thus, the need to hide and conceal one's sexual orientation for fear of harm. Experience of prejudice events refers to the experience of discrimination (e.g., microaggressions and slights), harassment, and anti-gay/lesbian violence, which not only compromises the victim's sense of security, but also interferes with the victim's perception of the world as meaningful and orderly, leading to potential self-devaluation (Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990). ...
Article
Previous research studies on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and sexual orientation in men and women showed inconsistent results. To better understand this body of research, we conducted a quantitative synthesis based on a three-level random-effects meta-analytic model. In total, we analyzed 229 effect sizes from 75 primary studies published between 1986 and 2019. Results showed that sexual minority men had a higher level of body dissatisfaction than heterosexual men (57 studies, 128 effect sizes), with a small to medium effect size (d = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.39). Other comparisons—bisexual men vs. gay men (6 studies, 9 effect sizes), sexual minority women vs. heterosexual women (36 studies, 85 effect sizes), and bisexual women vs. lesbian women (6 studies, 7 effect sizes)—showed smaller and statistically insignificant differences. Moderator analyses revealed that the inconsistency in previous studies comparing sexual minority men and heterosexual men could be partially explained by specific study features, including publication year, survey method, participants’ age, participants’ BMI, and measures used to assess body dissatisfaction. The inconsistent findings in comparing sexual minority women and heterosexual women could be partially explained by the different survey methods used in previous studies. Explanations and implications are discussed.
... Perhaps the most overwhelming view is that gay-bias crimes are those which more than other crimes inflict great harm upon their victims(Iganski 2008). The intensity of the harm, in both objective and subjective experience of extreme brutality, has been noted in these studies as being greater than in other assaults(Archer 1994;Berrill 1990;Campbell 1986;Garnets et al. 1990). A study byMiller and Humphreys (1980) found that anti-gay murders are marked by "extreme brutality," in which the victim is "more apt to be stabbed a dozen or more times, mutilated and strangled." ...
Article
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This article explores a high-profile review of cases of alleged historical investigatory police bias in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, referred to in The New York Times article, “When Gangs Killed Men for Sport: Australia Reviews 88 Deaths.” The title of the article contains the terms of a well-known feature of moral panic—a discovered crime fact and demand for an enforcement response disproportionate to the fact. Our analysis explores the response to the review of the list of cases, Strike Force Parrabell, as an illustration of runaway constructionism. Demand group-interest in the positive designation of the cases (as bias crime) was a means of acknowledging the prejudicial conduct of police during a time of wider attitudinal change. In spearheading the verification of this list of cases, demand groups and crusaders placed a high semiotic burden beyond its capacity as a comparable objective measure. The fitness of the list of 88 cases as a totem for police and societal wrongdoing requires evidence regarding disproportionality based on valid and reliable measures. Despite worldwide interest in NSW for its comparative high ranking in gay bias homicides, however, such ranking does not exist. Nonetheless, despite the impossibility that it stands in as proof of decades long prejudice, corruption or criminal negligence, the list of cases appears to do so anyway. As such, it is illustrative of the occupation of media frames and formats by weak data or of the runaway character of crime stories in an era of “fake news.”
... Certain myths about men who have been sexually victimized posit that men cannot be raped or that the sexual assault of men is not as severe as women who are sexually victimized, leading toward blaming the victim narrative (Groth & Burgess, 1980). As a result, men who have been sexually victimized may internalize these myths to blame themselves and think that they should have been able to do something to prevent their attack, which can make it difficult for men to acknowledge that they were sexually victimized (Davies, 2002;Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990). ...
Article
This research examines how men make sense of their experiences with sexual victimization. Through 19 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with men who experienced sexual victimization since turning 18 years old, this research provides insight into how men progress through the recovery process, including how they actively transformed from viewing themselves as a victim into viewing themselves as a survivor. For the participants, this process meant revising their masculinity so they could embody a new identity that did not stigmatize their experience. The conclusions suggest the development of an alternate narrative of men who experience sexual victimization that does not include gender stereotypes. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are also discussed.
... Considering this evidence, the presence and availability of sexual minority youth support organizations, support groups, and the school presence of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools seems especially important, because they not only support the individual, but also provide social connectedness with others and a sense of belonging (Berkman, 1995). This was supported by evidence from research conducted by Lee and Robbins context as hostile may lead to maladaptive responses, decreased self-esteem, and aggression toward oneself and toward other sexual minority individuals (Garnets et al., 1990;Herek et al., 2009;Frost & Meyer, 2009;Szymanski & Gupta, 2009). ...
Article
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Objectives Self-concept distortion has been extensively linked with decreasing mental health in gay and lesbian youth. Social context has been proposed to have a moderating effect on the development of a healthy self-concept. However, no good quality review has approached these concepts with regards to LGBT youth. Methods A systematic review was conducted on the relationship between social context and self-concept in gay and lesbian youth. Twenty studies were included in the review. Results Quality assessment of papers yielded moderate methodological strength. Findings implied that social context has considerable influence on self-concept development. Discrepancies in assessment methods, areas of social context examined, and one-dimensional nature of examining self-concept interferes with drawing explicit conclusions regarding the relationship between social context and self-concept. Conclusion Positivity of social context is not conclusively relatable to positive self-concept development, and similarly, a negative context is not predetermining of self-concept distortions. Building on resilience factors of gay and lesbian youth, working together with families, and advancing and utilizing available educational and community resources should mitigate the strength of overt and covert heterosexism hindering healthy self-concept development. Further longitudinal and cross-cultural research will be necessary to provide insight into the mechanisms of associations.
... La violencia antigay es uno de los principales estresores que afectan a la población LGBT (Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 1999;Katz-Wise & Hyde, 2012). Garnets et al. (1990) describieron los mecanismos psicológicos que podrían explicar la asociación entre la agresión y la angustia psicológica. Los autores indican que la agresión interfiere con la percepción del mundo como significativo y ordenado. ...
Book
Este libro busca completar lo expuesto en el primer volumen de esta colección, referido a recoger el trabajo de destacados investigadores de diferentes universidades chilenas que han dedicado sus esfuerzo al estudio del bienestar y las variables que se asocian a esta temática en nuestro país. Los estudios sobre bienestar han ganado relevancia durante el último tiempo, entregando aportes significativos a la comprensión de la conducta humana. Esto se ve reflejado en la multiplicación de artículos y revistas especializadas dedicadas a este tema, así como en la calidad de las investigaciones y los métodos utilizados. Este fenómeno se ha dado también en Chile, donde investigadores del área de la psicología, la sociología y otras ciencias sociales han avanzado en el desarrollo de líneas específicas de investigación en bienestar para nuestro país.
... By threatening the positive aspects of identification to a particular group, hate can erode the constructive aspects of self that are derived from group membership, stripping individuals of their dignity (Leets 2002). In fact, research finds that being the victim of a hate crime can cause the victim's core identity to become linked with a sense of vulnerability (Norris and Kaniasty 1991), and instead of identifying one's group identity with positive traits, victims of hate-motivated offenses identify their group membership with feelings of danger (Garnets, Herek, and Levy 1990). It can also leave victims questioning their intrinsic worth as both individuals and members of social groups (Leets 2002). ...
Article
Why do some people find online hate material more disturbing than others? We use a random sample of Americans between the ages 15 and 36 to address this question. Descriptive results indicate that a majority of respondents surveyed find online hate material very or extremely disturbing, while smaller shares find it moderately, slightly, or not at all disturbing. We utilize an ordinal logistic regression to explore factors associated with these varying perceptions of hate material. Results demonstrate that males and political conservatives find hate material less disturbing than females and political moderates or liberals. These results are expected, as online hate is largely dominated by right‐wing extremists who frequently target females and non‐conservatives. We also find that individuals who see hate material more frequently find it more disturbing, as do those who have been the target of hate or criminality online. Finally, individuals who are more accepting of violating social norms are less disturbed by online hate.
... Juxtaposed to the acceptance experienced in response to their sexuality disclosure, participants received divergent reactions when their parents learned of their decreased religious behaviors; indeed, many (n ¼ 5, 71%) described their nonreligious dis- closure as more challenging for them than their sexuality disclosure. As a result, participants' dis- closure did not end once coming out as gay to their parents-they made reference to a second coming out, one that entailed divulging their religious changes to their parents (e.g., double dis- closure; Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990). This second coming out, and the feelings our participants shared surrounding it, were apparent in the narratives of both men who had already done so explicitly at the time of the interview (n ¼ 4, 57%;) and those who did not (n ¼ 3, 43%). ...
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An increasing number of scholars have identified the need to understand the contextual experiences of sexual minorities in their families, one of which includes gay and lesbian adults within devout cultural-religious groups. This phenomenological study contributes to this noted gap in the literature by accessing the familial perspectives of Modern Orthodox Jewish gay men, a subgroup of American Orthodox Jews whose potentially distinct experiences in their families and socio-cultural community are currently absent from the literature. Qualitative data was collected via individual, semistructured interviews from a sample of out Modern Orthodox gay men (n = 7), and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006 Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa[Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Findings support pervasive and institutional homonegativity in the Modern Orthodox Jewish community; however, they also highlight the general acceptance Modern Orthodox gay men experienced from their parents in response to their gay identity. Postdisclosure, two broad themes emerged in our participants’ experience being out in their families, both of which reflect the socio-religious realities of the community in which they were raised: the importance of (a) concealing their gay identity and (b) maintaining a religious practice. These themes, and their implications for policy and practice, are discussed.
... Thus, one paradoxical benefit of the AIDS crisis was a body of evidence highlighting the co-occurring epidemic of mental health problems in this population, which in fact had existed long before the AIDS epidemic. Specifically, this research showed that sexual minority men experienced elevations in stress-sensitive mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, that not only co-occurred with HIV-related morbidity and risk but also stood on their own to disproportionately burden this population compared with heterosexuals (D'Augelli, 1989;Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1990;McKirnan & Peterson, 1988;Meyer, 1995). The AIDS era in the United States also launched the first psychosocial interventions for sexual minorities tested in randomized controlled trials, with these studies focusing on HIV-related risk reduction and stress management among gay and bisexual men (e.g., Antoni et al., 2000;Lutgendorf et al., 1998). ...
Article
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The time has arrived for psychological science to translate the accumulating empirical research regarding sexual and gender minority (SGM) mental health into evidence-based affirmative treatments for this population. Far from the unscientific, homophobic theories of the early 20th century, several recent efforts in psychological science are starting to pave the way for evidence-based SGM-affirmative mental health treatments. These efforts include (a) identifying clear treatment targets for SGM, (b) conducting treatment studies that test the efficacy of therapy for SGM populations, (c) increased reporting of sexual orientation and gender diversity in existing randomized controlled trials conducted with the general population, and (d) reducing stigma itself, which has heretofore impeded the resources necessary to produce scientific evidence about SGM-affirmative treatments. This article reviews this progress and outlines future research directions needed to advance evidence-based practice for SGM, including determining whether and how existing evidence-based treatments need to be adapted to address SGM-specific concerns, why SGM-affirmative treatments work, and for whom and under what conditions SGM-affirmative treatments work best. A program of research is described that attempts to address these questions through randomized controlled trials with strong comparison conditions, psychotherapy process research of current SGM-affirmative practice, and tests of treatment moderators. To the extent that the mental health profession continues to pursue these solutions, it can ensure the continued flourishing of this population, whose visibility and vibrancy likely represent the surest route toward improving public acceptance and therefore its future mental health.
... Models of stress and coping often posit that increases in external stressors result in decreased capacity for rational decision-making and riskier behavior, including the use and abuse of drugs [5,31,32]. As marginalized individuals face increasing victimization, they may lose a sense of security, begin to devalue their own lives, and turn to maladaptive coping behaviors, such as the reliance on drugs and alcohol [5,33]. Transgender individuals, whose levels of victimization are higher than those in the general population, are at greater risk for drug abuse. ...
Article
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Transgender youth experience elevated levels of victimization and may therefore report greater drug use than their cisgender peers, yet little is known about protective factors like school belonging that may mediate this relationship. Further, scant research has explored the experiences of youth at the intersection of transgender identity and youth of color status or low socioeconomic status, especially with respect to these multiple minority statuses’ associations with peer victimization, drug use, and school belonging. Using data from the California Healthy Kids Survey, the current study employs structural equation modeling to explore the relationships among school belonging, peer victimization, and drug use for transgender youth. Findings indicate that school belonging does mediate the pathway between peer victimization and drug use for transgender youth and that although youth of color experience greater victimization, they do not engage in greater drug use than their white transgender peers. Based on these results, those concerned with the healthy futures of transgender youth should advocate for more open and affirming school climates that engender a sense of belonging and treat transgender youth with dignity and fairness.
Article
This study examines a complex connection among intersectional stigma and the academic performance of transgender pupils in Pakistan. The research highlights the additional difficulties that transgender students encounter at the university level due to numerous types of stigma, including gender-based, religious-based, and class-based prejudice. The presence of intersectional stigma, which refers to the combined effects of many social classifications, has a considerable negative influence on the mental health, motivation, and involvement of these students in their educational endeavors. The study employs Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality theory to demonstrate how several types of oppression, rooted in social identities such as race, socioeconomic class, and disability, overlap with gender identity. The study utilizes a qualitative approach with a grounded theory design, conducting semi-structured interviews with transgender students enrolled at both public and private universities in Islamabad. This method offers a comprehensive comprehension of the impact of intersectional stigma on academic performance, social marginalization, and absence of support systems. The results indicate that the combination of intersectional stigmas leads to substantial obstacles in achieving academic success and well-being, resulting in discrimination, exclusion, and insufficient assistance from institutions. These challenges have a detrimental impact on mental well-being, drive, self-worth, and overall scholastic achievement. The report asserts that it is imperative to tackle structural problems such as discriminatory regulations, inadequate teacher training, and limited resources in order to cultivate an inclusive and supportive university atmosphere. By implementing gender-neutral facilities, encouraging tolerance and acceptance, and offering dedicated support services, the academic and emotional experiences of transgender students can be improved, allowing them to reach their maximum potential.
Article
Pese a la importancia de las comisiones de la verdad en los últimos años en América Latina, las recomendaciones que estas emiten constituyen un sujeto de estudio que ha sido poco abordado en la literatura especializada, y menos aún desde perspectivas inclusivas. Los procesos de justicia transicional corren el riesgo de analizar el contexto desde una mirada analítica generalista y, por tanto, que bebe de sistemas sustentados en un status quo que es desigual, heteronormativo, adultocentrista y mononacional. Por ello, este artículo analiza la formulación de las recomendaciones de 11 comisiones de la verdad en América Latina atendiendo a los enfoques de género (mujeres y LGTBI), etario (menores y mayores), étnico (indígena y afroamericano) y de discapacidad. Además, se analiza de forma breve el nivel de implementación de las recomendaciones en base a los datos del proyecto Beyond Words: Latin American Truth Commissions’ Recommendations. El estudio, basado en un análisis de contenido cualitativo e interpretacional, concluye que tanto la formulación de recomendaciones con enfoques inclusivos como su implementación es deficiente y, además, existe una dinámica por la cual las perspectivas centradas en colectivos como el LGTBI, las personas mayores, o la comunidad afroamericana están, de alguna manera, subordinadas a las de las mujeres, los menores, y la comunidad indígena, respectivamente. Así, se pone de relieve la cuestión de si la justicia transicional constituye una ventana de oportunidad o una oportunidad para perpetuar el status quo.
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This research aims to analyze the formation of homosexual identity in an individual, the types of victimization and abuse towards queer people, as well as the effects of victimization. The researcher used Foucault’s queer theory as a main theory for this study. The data used in this research were paragraphs, sentences, dialogues and narrations. The novel entitled More Happy Than Not, which was written by Adam Silvera in 2015, was used as the source of data for this research. The results from this study showed that the character Aaron Soto went through a rather difficult progress of homosexual identity formation, which he went back and forth between identity confusion and identity assumption phases. Aaron experienced several kinds of victimization, which include physical abuse, verbal abuse, and victimization in family settings. The abuse caused Aaron to experience physical injury, self blame, as well as feelings of internalized homophobia. The homosexual identity formation, victimization and the effects of victimization are related in a sense that they work like a cycle, and the three of them worked as a cause and effect.
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This study aims to examine the self-monitoring and happiness levels of LGBT individuals according to their perceived total social support (family, friends, significant others). Snowball and purposive sampling methods were used to access the participants. A total of 296 individuals (86 lesbian, 100 gay, 94 bisexual and 16 transgender individuals) who live in Istanbul and are older than 18 voluntarily participated in the study. The “Revised Self- Monitoring Scale”, the "Oxford Happiness Questionnaire”, the “Multi- Dimensional Perceived Social Support Scale”, and a “Personal Information Form” were employed to obtain the required study data. Data analysis is based on a MANOVA Wilks Lambda (λ) Test as well as Discriminant Analysis Tests. The study results revealed significant differences between the mean self-monitoring and happiness scores of the LGBT individuals according to perceived total social support. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals with high scores on perceived total social support scores were found to have higher mean scores of self-monitoring and happiness than those with low perceived social support. As a result of discriminant analysis, it was observed that first happiness and then self-monitoring are important for classifying LGBT individuals with high and low perceived total social support. Also, correct classification probability for the analysis was found to be 47.2%. The study results are discussed in the light of the literature
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This article describes insights into the nature of hate crimes that we gained from personal interviews with gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. We focus on three questions: 1. What are the varieties of hate crime victimization experienced by sexual minorities? 2. How do victims decide that a crime is based on their sexual orientation? 3. Why do many victims choose not to report an incident to police authorities.
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This paper combines two case studies from the UK and Israel to question/‘que(e)ry’ LGBTQ people’s travel and mobility behaviours, to explore the issue of ‘queer mobilities’ and related exclusions from heteronormative public transport spaces. Our research demonstrates how the fear of anti-LGBTQ discrimination and violence have profound impacts on LGBTQ people’s travel options and activity spaces. Using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, we examine how LGBTQ identity/‘queerness’, visibility, and safety perceptions affect mobility opportunities and choices. We pursue feminist and queer approaches to expose how LGBTQ people embody a complex, intersectional set of mobility considerations. The study reveals grounded experiences of different LGBTQ travellers and their coping strategies to feel able to travel safely. It identifies how LGBTQ participants are not necessarily physically excluded from mobility opportunities. Rather, they pay hidden costs to travel safely, which take the shape of identity and visibility compromises and heightened levels of fear while travelling. They also use more expensive travel alternatives, such as taxis, or take less direct routes to overcome their experiences of unsafe and inaccessible public transport alternatives. Thereby, we advocate a view of mobility as another important dimension of the discrimination and exclusion of sexual and gender minorities.
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Introduction: Different authors highlight the need to conduct more studies on the variables associated with internal-ized homonegativity in Latin America. Objective: To explore the association between internalized homonegativity, self-identification with homosexuality and sociodemographic variables (i.e., sex, age, educational level, and economic inequality). Methods: Non-probabilistic type snowball sampling in a group of 489 people with an average of 23.4 years of age (SD = 6.6) from five Colombian cities (Bogotá, Barranquilla, Pereira, Villavicencio and Tunja). The degree of self-identification with homosexuality was measured with the Kinsey scale. An internalized homonegativity questionnaire was also used. Results: A linear hierarchical regression analysis showed that internalized homonegativity is significantly associated with sex, the degree of identification with sexual orientation and age, but not with educational level or eco-nomic inequality. Although all the variables contributed to some extent to the model, the identification with sexual orientation and sex showed the greatest contribution in variance to explain the association with internalized homonega-tivity. Discussion: This study is a first empirical approach to the study of internalized homonegativity in Colombia and highlights the importance of implementing public policies and the use of affirmative therapies to reduce internalized homonegativity, particularly in young men in the process of self-identification with homosexuality.Keywords: Internalized homonegativity, Colombia, self-identification with homosexuality
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This paper analyses the coping mechanisms which Orthodox Jews in North London have adopted in managing antisemitism. The study, which was informed by a sociological framework, employed a qualitative approach using 28 semi-structured interviews and five focus groups. The findings reveal that despite the high frequency of the victimisation, and despite the awareness among respondents that antisemitism has seen a resurgence in recent years, Orthodox Jews have managed to accept the victimisation. The way the Orthodox Jewish community has managed their victimisation of antisemitism is argued to be profoundly different from the dominant narratives of hate crime victims, in that by and large the majority of respondents accepted their victimisation. It proposes that respondents were able to show agency and to normalise the victimisation because of their strong religious identity and close community ties.
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Situating Legal Consciousness: Experiences and Attitudes of Ordinary Citizens about Law and Street Harassment The legal consciousness of ordinary citizens concerning offensive public speech is a phenomenon whose legal status has been vigorously debated, but which has received little empirical analysis. Drawing on observations in public spaces in three northern California communities and in-depth interviews with 100 subjects recruited from these public locations, I analyze variation across race and gender groups in experiences with offensive public speech and attitudes about how such speech should be dealt with by law. Among these respondents, white women and people of color are far more likely than white men to report being the targets of offensive public speech. However, white women and people of color are not significantly more likely than white men to favor its legal regulation. Respondents generally oppose the legal regulation of offensive public speech, but they employ different discourses to explain why. Subjects’ own words suggest four relatively distinct paradigms that emphasize the First Amendment, autonomy, impracticality, and distrust of authority. Members of different racial and gender groups tend to use different discourses. These differences suggest that the legal consciousness of ordinary citizens is not a unitary phenomenon, but must be situated in relation to particular types of laws, particular social hierarchies, and the experiences of different groups with the law.
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A longitudinal study ( N = 774) explored the short and longer term impacts of anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans (LGBT) hate crime experienced directly, indirectly, and through the media. In the short term, being a victim (direct) or personally knowing of a hate crime victim (indirect) was positively associated with vulnerability, emotional responses, and behavioral intentions after reading about a hate crime. Direct victims were also less empathic toward other victims and engaged in more victim-blaming. A structural equation model showed direct experiences (via personal vulnerability and empathy) and media experiences (via group-threat and victim-blaming) to be cross-sectionally associated with behavioral intentions. Media experiences also had lasting demobilizing impacts on actual behaviors, again serially mediated by group-threat and victim-blaming. The findings highlight the emotional and behavioral impacts of hate crimes on both direct victims and on the wider LGBT community. They also raise questions about media reporting of hate crimes and the role of victim-blaming.
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