A structural equation model for predicting depressive symptomatology in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the UK

ABSTRACT

This study identifies the predictors of depressive symptomatology in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the UK. 289 White and BAME LGB individuals participated in a cross-sectional survey. BAME participants exhibited significantly more discrimination, rejection from significant others, ethnic victimisation, internalised homophobia and concealment motivation than White participants. They manifested greater internalised homophobia, less outness and greater drug use than White participants. Outness was associated with less depressive symptomatology, and internalised homophobia and victimisation with more depressive symptomatology. The structural equation model showed a significant effect of ethnicity on depressive symptomatology. This relationship was mediated by the situational stressors, the psychological schemata and coping variables. Consistent with the cognitive-behavioural model, the results indicate that exposure to situational stressors can increase the risk of developing a self-hatred and depressive psychological self-schema, maladaptive coping strategies and depressive symptomatology in BAME LGB people in the UK.

KEYWORDS:

• Symptomatology
• mental health
• depression
• psychological distress
• suicidal ideation
• BAME
• LGB

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/uk-population-by-ethnicity.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rusi Jaspal

Rusi Jaspal, PhD, is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. He is the author of Enhancing Sexual Health, Self-Identity and Wellbeing among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Jessica Kingsley, 2018) and The Social Psychology of Gay Men (Palgrave, 2019).

Barbara Lopes

Barbara Lopes, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and works at the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. She is an expert on cognitive behavioural therapy for mental disorders.

Zaqia Rehman

Zaqia Rehman, MSc, is a PhD student at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. Her PhD focuses on minority stress and mental health outcomes among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic lesbian, gay and bisexual people.