The relations between the positive and negative components of self-compassion and depressive symptoms among sexual minority women and men
- Authors: Shakeshaft, Rhianydd , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mindfulness Vol. 13, no. 1 (2022), p. 57-65
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objectives: The experience of depression among sexual minority adults is a cause for concern. Research into protective factors is lacking. Self-compassion is considered to promote adaptive coping strategies and is associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate whether self-compassion and its components were associated with depressive symptoms among sexual minority adults and whether these relations were moderated by gender. Methods: A sample of 499 sexual minority women aged 18 to 77 years (M = 29.45, SD = 9.97) and 457 sexual minority men aged 18 to 79 years (M = 27.05, SD = 9.12) completed the Center for Epidemiology-Depression Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale. Results: Higher levels of self-compassion, self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness and lower levels of self-judgement, isolation, and over-identification were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. When all six components were entered simultaneously into a regression model, only the negative components predicted levels of depressive symptoms. Gender moderated the common humanity-depressive symptoms relation, with this relation being stronger for women than men. Conclusions: Results indicate that the negative components of self-compassion are associated with depressive symptoms among sexual minority adults and that the strength of the relations are not conditional on gender. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
The relationship between a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community, internalized heterosexism, and depressive symptoms among bisexual and lesbian women
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Castillo, Paola
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Bisexuality Vol. 21, no. 1 (2020), p. 1-23
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Depressive symptoms are a significant health concern among sexual minority women, with bisexual women at a higher risk than lesbian women. Internalized heterosexism is a key risk factor for depression among sexual minority women. Sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community is protective for lesbian women, but the limited research among bisexual women has shown inconsistent results. The current study investigated whether a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community was directly related to fewer depressive symptoms and indirectly related via lower levels of internalized heterosexism, and whether the indirect effect was similar for bisexual and lesbian women. A sample of 175 self-identified bisexual women and 311 self-identified lesbian women aged 18 to 61 years (M = 31.91, SD = 11.38) completed the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Internalized Homophobia Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Bisexual women reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and internalized heterosexism, and lower levels of a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community, than lesbian women. A sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community was directly associated with lower depressive symptoms and indirectly related via lower internalized heterosexism. However, sexual orientation moderated the indirect relationship. The indirect effect of a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community on depressive symptoms was significant for lesbian women but not bisexual women. Results imply that increasing a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community may be beneficial for bisexual and lesbian women, but the pathways by which protection is afforded will differ. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
The relationship between living alone, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among older men: the moderating role of sexual orientation
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aging & Mental Health Vol. 24, no. 1 (Jan 2020), p. 103-109
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objectives: Living alone is a risk factor for depressive symptoms among older men, and is likely to occur due to belongingness needs being unmet. It is proposed the living alone-sense of belonging and living alone-depressive symptoms relations are stronger for gay men than heterosexual men, due to different family circumstances. This research tested a moderated mediation model, specifically whether the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms is mediated by sense of belonging, and whether the living alone-sense of belonging and living alone-depressive symptoms relationships are moderated by sexual orientation. Method: A community sample of 169 Australian gay men aged 65 to 93 years and 187 Australian heterosexual men aged 65 to 94 years completed the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results: Results supported the simple mediation model, with living alone being associated directly and indirectly with depressive symptoms via sense of belonging. The conditional indirect effect of living alone on depressive symptoms via sense of belonging was not significant, and therefore the moderated mediation model was not supported. Conclusion: Results imply that older men who live alone are at increased risk of depressive symptoms directly and indirectly via lower levels of sense of belonging.
What about me? Sense of belonging and depressive symptoms among bisexual women
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Castillo, Paolo
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Bisexuality Vol. 20, no. 2 (2020), p. 166-182
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Depression is a significant mental health issue for bisexual women. While theory and research indicates that sense of belonging is important for mental health, limited research has investigated this in relation to bisexual women belonging to the LGBTQ + community. Existing research indicates that identification and involvement with the LGBTQ + community is not protective for the mental health of bisexual women. The protective nature of the extent to which bisexual women feel valued and needed within the lesbian community has not been examined. The current study examined the relationships between sense of belonging to the lesbian and heterosexual communities and depressive symptoms among bisexual women. A sample of 306 Australian self-identified bisexual women completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument. Results indicated that sense of belonging to each community was related to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Further, levels of belonging to each community interacted, indicating that sense of belonging to the lesbian community was protective for bisexual women with lower, but not higher, levels of sense of belonging to the heterosexual community. Results imply that increasing belonging to the lesbian community is important for bisexual women who do not feel they belong in the heterosexual community. The challenge is how to increase sense of belonging of bisexual women in the lesbian community, where they are exposed to negative attitudes about their sexuality. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
The fatigue and depressive symptom relationship in mothers of young children : The moderating role of mindfulness
- Authors: Riley, Kym , Gent, Angela , McLaren, Suzanne , Caunt, Jeremy , Stavropoulos, Vasileios
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Mindfulness Vol. 9, no. 6 (2018), p. 1955-1965
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Previous studies have demonstrated that fatigue is a risk factor for depressive symptoms in mothers of young children. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the five facets of mindfulness moderated the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptoms in mothers of young children. A sample of 723 mothers of children aged 1–5 years completed the Fatigue Assessment Scale, the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form. Results showed that four out of the five mindfulness facets (non-judging of inner experience, non-reactivity to inner experience, acting with awareness, and describing) weakened the relationship between fatigue and depressive symptoms. Interaction effects were found to be small. Further investigation of the unique roles of the five mindfulness facets as well as other possible protective factors and interventions that may weaken the fatigue-depressive symptom relationship in mothers of young children is warranted.
Internalized homonegativity, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men
- Authors: Davidson, Kenneth , McLaren, Suzanne , Jenkins, Megan , Corboy, Denise , Gibbs, Petah , Molloy, Mari
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 64, no. 4 (2017), p. 450-465
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Internalized homonegativity has been directly linked to depression among gay men. The aim of the study was to test whether internalized homonegativity is indirectly related to depressive symptoms via a sense of belonging to the broad gay community, gay groups, gay friends, and the general community. A sample of 246 self-identified Australian gay men, aged 18–82 years, completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Sense of Belonging Within Gay Communities Scale, and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that the final model was an excellent fit to the data. Internalized homonegativity was indirectly related to depressive symptoms via sense of belonging to gay groups, with gay friends, and to the general community. Interventions aimed at reducing internalized homonegativity among gay men have the potential to enhance sense of belonging and, in turn, decrease depressive symptoms. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.
The interrelations between internalized homophobia, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation among Australian gay men, lesbians, and bisexual women
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 63, no. 2 (2016), p. 156-168
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- Description: Internalized homophobia has been linked to depression among gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals. Relatively little research has investigated the link between internalized homophobia and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The current research investigated the interrelations among internalized homophobia, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation by testing additive, mediation, and moderation models. Self-identified Australian gay men (n = 360), lesbians (n = 444), and bisexual women (n = 114) completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the suicide subscale of the General Health Questionnaire. Results supported the additive and partial mediation models for gay men and the mediation and moderation models for lesbians. None of the models were supported for bisexual women. The findings imply that clinicians should focus on reducing internalized homophobia and depressive symptoms among gay men and lesbians, and depressive symptoms among bisexual women, to reduce suicidal ideation. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.
The relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men : the moderating role of sense of belonging with gay friends
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Psychogeriatrics Vol. 28, no. 11 (2016), p. 1895-1901
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Living alone is a risk factor for depressive symptoms among older adults, although it is unclear if it is a risk factor for older gay men. A sense of belonging to the gay community is protective and might compensate for living alone. This research investigated whether a sense of belonging with gay friends weakened the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men. Methods: A community sample of 160 Australian gay men aged 65-92 years completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and two visual analogue scales assessing a sense of belonging with gay friends. Results: Results supported the moderation model, with increasing levels of belonging with gay friends weakening the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Results imply that enhancing a sense of belonging with gay friends among older gay men who live alone is likely to be a protective factor in relation to depressive symptoms.
Gender, Age, and Place of Residence as Moderators of the Internalized Homophobia-Depressive Symptoms Relation Among Australian Gay Men and Lesbians
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 62, no. 4 (2015), p. 463-480
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Internalized homophobia is a risk factor for depression among gay men and lesbians. The aim of the study was to test whether the internalized homophobia-depression relation was moderated by gender (stronger among gay men compared with lesbians), age (stronger among younger compared with older gay men and lesbians), and place of residence (stronger among gay men and lesbians who live in rural areas compared with those who live in urban areas). An Australian sample of 311 self-identified gay men and 570 self-identified lesbians, aged 18 to 70 years, completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that age and gender did not moderate the internalized homophobia-depressive symptoms relation. Place of residence was a significant moderator for gay men but not lesbians. In contrast to the hypothesis, the internalized homophobia-depression relation was significant only among gay men who resided in urban areas. Those who work with gay men should be particularly aware of the significant relationship between internalized homophobia and depressive symptoms among gay men who reside in urban areas.
The Relationships Between Sense of Belonging to a Community GLB Youth Group; School, Teacher, and Peer Connectedness; and Depressive Symptoms : Testing of a Path Model
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Schurmann, Jacquiline , Jenkins, Megan
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 62, no. 12 (2015), p. 1688-1702
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Research indicates belonging to a gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) support group is indirectly associated with fewer depressive symptoms, via higher levels of sense of belonging to the general community. The current study extended this research by testing a path model to determine whether school, teacher, and peer connectedness are influenced by sense of belonging to a community GLB youth group. A sample of 82 Australian GLB adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who currently attend high school completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Psychological Subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument, and the Social Questionnaire for Secondary Students. Results indicated very good model fit. Higher levels of belonging to a community GLB youth group were associated with higher levels of school, teacher, and peer connectedness, but only peer connectedness was directly associated with depressive symptoms. Higher levels of school and teacher connectedness were associated with higher levels of peer connectedness. Interventions aimed at increasing belonging to a community GLB youth group may have indirect benefits for the mental health of GLB adolescents, via higher levels of school, teacher, and peer connectedness. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
The Interrelations between age, sense of belonging, and depressive symptoms among Australian gay men and lesbians
- Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Gibbs, Petah , Watts, Eboni
- Date: 2013
- Type: Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Homosexuality Vol. 60, no. 1 (2013), p. 1-15
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- Reviewed:
- Description: Researchers have demonstrated that age is related to depression among gay men and lesbians, with younger adults experiencing more depression than older adults. Other researchers have indicated that a sense of belonging is related to lower levels of depression. This study investigated whether sense of belonging to the gay and lesbian community moderates and mediates the relationship between age and depressive symptoms among gay men and lesbians. An Australian sample of self-identified gay men (n = 346) and lesbians (n = 270) completed the Psychological subscale of the Sense of Belonging Instrument and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results indicated that age and sense of belonging were directly and independently related to depressive symptoms for gay men and lesbians. In addition, for lesbians only, sense of belonging moderated the age-depressive symptom relation. For lesbians with low levels of sense belonging to the lesbian community, age was not associated with depressive symptoms. In contrast, for lesbians with high levels of sense of belonging to the lesbian community, the association between sense of belonging and depressive symptoms decreased with increasing age. Encouraging gay men and lesbians (especially younger lesbians) to become involved in the gay and lesbian community is likely to be beneficial for their mental health. © 2013 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
- Description: 2003010682
Social support and sense of belonging as protective factors in the rumination-depressive symptoms relation among Australian women
- Authors: Turner, Leah , McLaren, Suzanne
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Women and Health Vol. 51, no. 2 (2011), p. 151-167
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study examined the applicability of the compensatory, risk protective, and protective-protective models of resiliency to explain the association of depressive symptoms (outcome factor) with rumination (potential risk factor) and social support and sense of belonging (protective factors). A community sample of 179 Australian women between the ages of 18-64 participated. Results supported the compensatory models for both protective factors. Results did not support the risk-protective or protective-protective models. The results of this study indicate that interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among women who ruminate should be focused on increasing either protective factor, and that little value is accrued in attempting to increase both protective factors.
- Description: This study examined the applicability of the compensatory, risk protective, and protective-protective models of resiliency to explain the association of depressive symptoms (outcome factor) with rumination (potential risk factor) and social support and sense of belonging (protective factors). A community sample of 179 Australian women between the ages of 18-64 participated. Results supported the compensatory models for both protective factors. Results did not support the risk-protective or protective-protective models. The results of this study indicate that interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among women who ruminate should be focused on increasing either protective factor, and that little value is accrued in attempting to increase both protective factors. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.