Self-Regulation Mediates LGBTQQ Oppressive Situations and Psychological Distress: Implications for Psychotherapy

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that oppressive situations are associated with negative mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) people. However, not all LGBTQQ people will develop symptoms of psychological distress. Because of the importance of discerning contributing factors to the relationship between oppressive situations and psychological distress, the authors investigated whether self-regulation mediated or moderated relations between felt danger to safety, verbal harassment and intimidation, and psychological distress. Results indicated a relationship between LGBTQQ minority stress and negative mental health outcomes, and support the importance of self-regulatory processes influencing sexual and gender minority persons’ capacities to manage environmental stressors of stigmatization and social threat. Implications for psychotherapy practice are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBTQ
• mental health
• psychological distress