A Moderated Mediation Test of Minority Stress

Abstract

In the present study, we extended minority stress theory by testing expectations of stigma, internalized heterosexism, and outness as mediators of the relations of heterosexist discrimination with psychological distress and well-being; testing collective action as a mental health promoter by examining its unique relations with distress and well-being; and testing collective action as a moderator of the direct and indirect relations of the minority stressors with mental health among 514 sexual minority adults. Path analyses indicated that heterosexist discrimination, expectations of stigma, internalized heterosexism, and outness were uniquely related to psychological distress, whereas heterosexist discrimination, internalized heterosexism, outness, and collective action were uniquely related to well-being. Expectations of stigma mediated the positive discrimination–distress link. Collective action buffered the direct heterosexist discrimination–internalized heterosexism relation as well as the indirect heterosexist discrimination–well-being relation through internalized heterosexism. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed.

Keywords

LGBT heterosexism homophobia social identity minority stress

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