The Effects of Sociocultural Factors on Social Connectedness and its Relationship with Minority Stress in LGBTQ Young Adults

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) community have historically been ostracized from various social groups, and this victimization has been associated with multiple functional impairments (Lick, Durso & Johnson, 2013). The minority stress model suggests that a higher frequency of mental disorders exists in the LGBTQ community due to alienation and isolation from social structure and institutions. It predicts the isolation is instigated by the individual’s identification as a minority. Lick, Durso and Johnson (2013) proposed minority stress contributed to disparities in the health of sexual minorities. These disparities were categorized into three sociocultural stress categories: institutional stressors, structural stressors, and interpersonal stressors. Social support has been identified as an important tool to reduce stress, and an important factor which can encourage social and psychological well-being. Social support and social connectedness are related in the sense that they embrace the development of social relationships. People with low connectedness have reported higher levels of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem (Baumeister & Leary, 1995), which are similar to the ailments reported by those who suffer from minority stress. Our research hypothesis is that sociocultural factors such as institutional policies, structural opportunities, and interpersonal relationships influence the development in social connectedness, which may mitigate the negative outcomes that originate from minority stress. The lack of affirming and supportive environmental factors is hypothesized to correlate to a decreased sense of social connectedness. In turn, the lack of social connectedness likely renders LGBTQ individuals vulnerable to minority stress. Survey data will be used to gather information about social connectedness in LGBTQ adults. Utilizing the services provided by Qualtrics Panels, LGBTQ adults between the ages of 18-24 will be surveyed. Correlational analysis will be used to determine the relationship between the sociocultural levels discussed, social connectedness, and minority stress

Narcissism and the strategic pursuit of short-term mating : universal links across 11 world regions of the International Sexuality Description Project-2.

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating

Narcisismo y búsqueda estratégica del emparejamiento a corto plazo a través de las culturas: Enlaces omnipresentes a través de 11 regiones mundiales del Proyecto de la descripción de la sexualidad internacional 2

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating.Estudios previos, en primer lugar a través de las muestras de culturas occidentales, han documentado asociaciones sistemáticas del narcisismo subclínico con múltiples indicadores de estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo (p. ej. sociosexualidad ilimitada, infidelidad, caza de pareja). En este estudio se han usado respuestas de la encuesta transcultural de 30.470 personas de 53 naciones de 11 regiones mundiales (América del Norte, América del Sur/América Central, Europa del Norte, Europa del Oeste, Europa del Este, Europa del Sur, Oriente Próximo, África, Asia del Sur/Sudoeste de Asia, Asia del Este y Oceanía) para evaluar si el narcisismo (medido por el Inventario de Personalidad Narcisista; NPI) se asocia panuniversalmente con los indicadores del emparejamiento a corto plazo, tanto en la dirección, como en la intensidad. Los resultados sugieren que el narcisismo (incluidos muchos aspectos suyos medidos por el NPI) tiene las mismas asociaciones básicas con los rasgos de personalidad relacionados con el sexo (p. ej. extraversión alta) y con los resultados sexuales claves (p. ej. búsqueda más activa de las estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo) a través de las 11 mayores regiones mundiales del PDSI 2. La discusión se enfoca en las implicaciones y limitaciones del estudio actual

Young Women’s Sexual Assault Experiences: Exploring Conservative Socialisation Experiences as an Important Contextual Factor

This study explored the connections between gender socialisation, cultural programming related to sexuality, and the sexual assault experiences of young women. We examined how young women’s sexual assault experiences, and their subsequent adjustment to these, are influenced by religion, conservative values, faith and spirituality. Fourteen sexual assault survivors shared the stories of their assault experiences, as well as their sexuality education, religious socialisation, and the consequences of both. The 14 women reported experiences with 26 different perpetrators, nearly all of whom were known to the survivors. Although some found their faith to be a source of strength when coping with their sexual assault, many claimed that their religious and conservative socialisation left them at risk for victimisation

A Mediation Model of Sexual Assault Among Latter-Day Saints

Socialization that occurs within some conservative Christian contexts might facilitate development of attitudes and beliefs that increase women’s risk for sexual assault. Patriarchal community structure and rigid gender role adherence place women in subordinate roles and maintain gender inequality. Within conservative, dogmatic contexts, comprehensive sex education and education about assault might be minimal, and rape myths are hypothesized to be more prevalent. This study assessed sexual assault experiences (victimization and perpetration) in a sample of 208 male and female college students affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Women reported victimization of all forms of sexual coercion at higher rates than men reported perpetration. In addition, traditional gender role adherence mediated the link between dogmatic, religiously fundamentalist beliefs and acceptance of rape mythology for both men and women. Traditional gender role adherence also mediated the link between religious fundamentalism and sexual assault behaviors for men

Experiences of Community Resilience and Inequity among LGBTQ+ People: A Person-Centered Analysis

A diverse sample of LGBTQ+ people (N = 527) was recruited to explore sexual and gender diverse peoples’ co-occurring experiences with community resilience resources and inequity within the LGBTQ+ community. Using latent profile analysis, four distinctive latent profiles emerged: Marginalized, Ambivalent, Disengaged, and Embedded. Beta regression analyses suggested that identity centrality played a pivotal role in a participants’ membership to a given profile. Additionally, plurisexual and gender diverse identities may be associated with less likelihood of membership in profiles that were high in LGBTQ+ community resilience resources. Profile membership was also associated with mental health, internalized minority stress, and LGBTQ+ identity affirmation. The present study assists in expanding the understanding of co-occurring processes (i.e., community resilience resources and inequity within the LGBTQ+ community) and how they link to mental health, internalized minority stress, and positive LGBTQ+ identity outcomes for sexual and gender diverse people. We discuss implications for practice, education, training, and research

Young Women\u27s Sexist Beliefs and Internalized Misogyny: Links with Psychosocial and Relational Functioning and Sociopolitical Behavior

The current study examined links among sexism, psychosocial functioning, and political behavior in 210 young women from the United States. Participants completed a survey including the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, Revised Religious Fundamentalism Scale, Attitudes Toward Women Scale, Internalized Misogyny Scale, and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Higher religious fundamentalism was associated with lower relationship quality, mediated by internalized misogyny, traditional gender roles, and hostile sexism. Although mental health outcomes were also collected, associations with sexist attitudes were nonsignificant. The intersection of sexist attitudes and internalized misogyny with political affiliation and voting behavior was also explored. Participants who voted for Clinton/Kaine reported lower levels of internalized misogyny when compared to those who voted for Trump/Pence. In addition, Democrat and Independent individuals reported significantly lower levels of internalized misogyny and hostile sexism when compared to Republican and Not Affiliated individuals

An Integrated Developmental Model for Studying Identity Content in Context

Historically, identity researchers have placed greater emphasis on processes of identity development (how people develop their identities) and less on the content of identity (what the identity is). The relative neglect of identity content may reflect the lack of a comprehensive framework to guide research. In this article, we provide such a comprehensive framework for the study of the content of identity, including 4 levels of analysis. At the broadest level, we situate individual identity within historical, cultural, and political contexts, elaborating on identity development within the context of shifting cultural norms, values, and attitudes. Histories of prejudice and discrimination are relevant in shaping intersections among historically marginalized identities. Second, we examine social roles as unique and central contexts for identity development, such that relationship labels become integrated into a larger identity constellation. Third, domains of individual or personal identity content intersect to yield a sense of self in which various aspects are subjectively experienced as an integrated whole. We explore the negotiation of culturally marginalized and dominant identity labels, as well as idiosyncratic aspects of identities based on unique characteristics or group memberships. Finally, we argue that the content of identity is enacted at the level of everyday interactions, the micro-level of identity. The concepts of identity conflict, coherence, and compartmentalization are presented as strategies used to navigate identity content across these 4 levels. This framework serves as an organizing tool for the current literature, as well as for designing future studies on the identity development

Differences in Religious Experience Between Men and Women in a Sexual Minority Sample of Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The data analyzed here were obtained from an online survey of 1612 LGBTQ members and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, Mormon). Quantitative and qualitative comparisons were made between the men and women in this sample with regard to religiosity (participation, belief, and current attitudes). Women exhibited a greater degree of alienation from the church, were more likely to express negative sentiments about their personal experience in it, and were less believing in its doctrine and policies. A significantly larger proportion of women self-identified in the bisexual region of the sexual orientation continuum than men. In addition, bisexuality facilitated continued church activity for both sexes, but the effect was less strong for women. The data permit possible explanations for the unique religious profile of the women respondents in the context of gender essentialism and traditional gender roles