Kathryn Ellis

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2012

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

The potential harmful effects of discrimination on sexual minority individuals have been related to many negative mental health outcomes. Previous research has found that sexual minorities experience higher rates of psychological problems than sexual majorities (Faulkner & Cranston, 1998; Russell & Joyner, 2001). This study examined how discrimination based on sexual orientation is related to one’s mental health. It focused on how discrimination based on sexual orientation differed for those who are a sexual minority (anyone who identifies as non-heterosexual) as compared to those who are a sexual majority (anyone that identifies as heterosexual). The participants for this study (N = 119) were classified into two groups. Group 1 participants identified as heterosexual (n = 73) and Group 2 participants identified as a sexual minority (n = 46). Sexual minority participants reported higher levels of discrimination, lower levels of self-esteem, and lower levels of depression than sexual majority participants. There was no significant difference between the participants on attachment and social anxiety.

Comments

Approved by: Dr. Lisa Platt, Dr. Rodger Narloch, Dr. Ben Faber, Dr. Richard White

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