Multiple forms of discrimination, mental distress, and well-being among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer individuals: The role of brooding

Abstract

Using cross-sectional data collected online from 495 racially and ethnically diverse LGBQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning) participants, the associations between nine forms of discrimination and mental distress and well-being were examined, along with the mediating role of brooding (a severe form of rumination) in these associations and demographic differences in the variables Results indicated that queer and multiracial/other identity individuals who reported lower incomes faced more forms of discrimination compared to their male, gay/bisexual, White, and of higher income counterparts. Moreover, mental/physical ability status-based discrimination was significantly associated with the highest levels of mental distress and the lowest well-being score. The association between LGBQ-based discrimination and mental distress was marginally significant. Furthermore, a greater number of forms of discrimination was associated with mental distress and less well-being. Brooding partially mediated the relationship between multiple forms of discrimination and mental distress, and fully mediated the association between multiple forms of discrimination and well-being. These findings suggest that assessing LGBQ+ individuals’ multiple forms of discrimination and their effect on mental health is critical. Similarly, interventions designed to alleviate brooding and facilitate the development of other emotion regulation strategies that would further promote LGBQ+ people’s mental health and well-being are warranted.

Keywords:

• Multiple discrimination
• LGBQ
• mental distress
• well-being
• rumination

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Values in Action (VIA) Institute on Character for their continued support in making this project possible. We would also like to thank Drs. Eric Schrimshaw, Mark Hatzenbuehler, Ilan Meyer, George Bonanno, and Patrick Wilson for guidance in designing and conducting this study. Additional thanks are extended to Anna Sompolski, Caitlin Monahan, and Alison Walensky, who were integrally involved in the implementation of the study.

Ethics statement

This research study was approved by the Columbia University Medical Center Institutional Review Board.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Nadav Antebi-Gruszka, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the generosity of the American Psychological Foundation’s Visionary Funds Grant, the American Psychological Association Division 17 (Counseling) Section on Positive Psychology Student Research Award, and the Kinsey Institute Student Research Grant Award.