The effects of discrimination on depression in sexual minorities with internalized homonegativity as a mediator and community connectedness as a moderator
Abstract:
This research aimed to examine the relationship between Discrimination, Depression, Internalized Homonegativity, and Community Connectedness in sexual minorities. Participants were 263 sexual minorities with an average age of 27.06 (SD = 6.21) who completed the online survey consisting of 1) screening questions, 2) demographic questions, 3) Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), 4) discrimination subscale from Daily Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire (DHEQ), 5) Internalized Homophobia Scale (IHP), and 6) Connectedness to the LGBT Community Scale (CCS). Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, and the conditional PROCESS model for testing moderated mediation effect. The results reveal significant direct effect of discrimination on depression (b = .087, p < .05) although no indirect effect of discrimination through internalized homonegativity on depression (b = .012, p = .101). Also, no moderating effect of community connectedness in the relationship between discrimination and depression (b = -.087, p = .114) and in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and depression (b = .098, p = .329)