Developing effective therapeutic protocols for LGBTQIA+ individuals requires a commitment to practices that do not perpetuate suffering. Addressing negative internalizations and minority stress are two common transdiagnostic aspects within this population. Therapeutic models, such as Schema Therapy (ST), have emerged as a promising strategy; however, research in this area is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate an Affirmative ST program for LGB individuals. The program was tested in a pilot study involving nine participants. A total of 10 sessions were conducted, and the evaluation focused on: positive and negative affect, anxiety, stress (including minority stress), and depression. The effects of the intervention were analyzed using the Hageman-Arrindell approach and GEE. Significant differences were found for: reduction in depression; stress; anxiety; negative affect; and an increase in positive affect and stigma perception. This research represents a pioneering effort in the field of ST with LGBTQIA+ individuals, and further studies are encouraged.
Experiences of minority stress likely contribute to elevated levels of depression and suicidal ideation among LGBT individuals. We examined whether the self-reported frequency of exposure to hate speech targeting gay men and lesbians was associated with these outcomes and whether family acceptance of one’s sexual orientation attenuated these associations. We used data from a national survey of the Polish LGBTQiA community ( N = 3827 gay men and lesbians). Participants reported the severity of eight symptoms of depression, as well as the frequency of suicidal ideation. They also indicated how often they had encountered homophobic hate speech, and which categories of close family members accepted their sexual orientation. A higher self-reported frequency of exposure to homophobic hate speech was associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms and more frequent suicidal ideation. These associations were moderated by family acceptance, such that they were weaker among participants with higher family acceptance scores. Our findings provide evidence that family acceptance may buffer negative mental health outcomes of hate speech exposure among gay men and lesbians.
تجارب استرس اقلیت احتمالاً به سطوح بالاتر افسردگی و افکار خودکشی در میان افراد LGBT منجر می‌شود. ما بررسی کردیم که آیا فراوانی گزارش‌شده مواجهه با سخنان نفرت‌آمیز که مردان و زنان همجنس‌گرا را هدف قرار می‌دهد، با این پیامدها مرتبط است و آیا پذیرش خانواده از گرایش جنسی فرد این ارتباطات را تضعیف می‌کند یا خیر. ما از داده‌های یک پیمایش ملی جامعه LGBTQiA لهستان (N = 3827 مرد و زن همجنس‌گرا) استفاده کردیم. شرکت‌کنندگان شدت هشت نشانه افسردگی و همچنین فراوانی افکار خودکشی را گزارش کردند. آن‌ها همچنین بیان کردند که چند وقت یک‌بار با سخنان نفرت‌آمیز همجنس‌گراستیزانه مواجه شده‌اند و کدام دسته از اعضای نزدیک خانواده گرایش جنسی آن‌ها را پذیرفته‌اند. فراوانی بالاتر مواجهه گزارش‌شده با سخنان نفرت‌آمیز همجنس‌گراستیزانه با شدت بیشتر نشانه‌های افسردگی و فراوانی بیشتر افکار خودکشی مرتبط بود. این ارتباطات توسط پذیرش خانواده تعدیل شد، به‌گونه‌ای که در میان شرکت‌کنندگانی که نمرات پذیرش خانواده بالاتری داشتند، این ارتباطات ضعیف‌تر بود. یافته‌های ما شواهدی ارائه می‌دهد که پذیرش خانواده می‌تواند پیامدهای منفی سلامت روان ناشی از مواجهه با سخنان نفرت‌آمیز را در میان مردان و زنان همجنس‌گرا کاهش دهد.
