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The relationship between a sense of belonging to the LGBTIQ + community, internalized heterosexism, and depressive symptoms among bisexual and lesbian women

- McLaren, Suzanne, Castillo, Paola

  • Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Castillo, Paola
  • Date: 2020
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Bisexuality Vol. 21, no. 1 (2020), p. 1-23
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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.

Suicide risk among older adults : the moderating role of hope

- McLaren, Suzanne, Castillo, Paola, Tindle, Richard, Corboy, Denise, Klein, Britt, Burmeister, Oliver

  • Authors: McLaren, Suzanne , Castillo, Paola , Tindle, Richard , Corboy, Denise , Klein, Britt , Burmeister, Oliver
  • Date: 2024
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Clinical Gerontologist Vol. 47, no. 4 (2024), p. 630-644
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  • Description: Objectives: The current study investigated whether hope and its two components (agency and pathways) acted as protective factors by weakening the relations between perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability for suicide and suicide risk among older adults. Methods: A community sample of 594 older Australians aged from 60 to 95 years (Mage = 68.72, SDage = 6.67) completed the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-Revised, Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale-Fearlessness about Death Scale, Adult Hope Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale-short form. Results: After controlling for depressive symptoms and sociodemographic variables, hope and agency moderated the thwarted belongingness-suicide risk relation, and hope, agency, and pathways moderated the acquired capability for suicide-risk relation. Conclusions: Hope may play an important role in reducing suicide risk among older adults experiencing thwarted belongingness and who have acquired the capability for suicide. Research is required to identify ways of reducing suicide risk among older adults who experience perceived burdensomeness. Clinical Implications: Increasing hope may reduce suicide risk among older adults experiencing thwarted belongingness and who have acquired the capability for suicide. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
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