Discrimination has psychologically distressing effects in sexual minority individuals (SMI). Based on literature regarding minority stress, minority strengths and relational cultural theory (RCT),...Show moreDiscrimination has psychologically distressing effects in sexual minority individuals (SMI). Based on literature regarding minority stress, minority strengths and relational cultural theory (RCT), we suggest community identification processes and the ability to claim equal rights as protective factors against minority stressors. In this relationship, we suggest beliefs in deserving equal rights to play a central role. In this study, we investigated whether exploring the meaning of one’s identity as SMI, so-called sexual minority identity achievement (SMIA), predicts assertiveness, the readiness to claim equal rights. We further investigated whether self-respect, the belief in having equal rights, mediates this relationship. This secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey (N = 344) focused on a sample of SMI. Assertiveness was measured with the Negative Assertion subscale of the revised Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, SMIA was measured with the Identity Achievement subscale of the Multi-Ethnic Identity Measure adapted for sexual minority individuals, and self-respect was measured with a self-respect measure. Contrary to the hypothesis, multiple regression analysis found no significant relationship between SMIA and assertiveness. However, when including self-respect as a mediator, we found SMIA to positively predict assertiveness. Mediation analysis further found that self-respect partially mediates the effect of SMIA on assertiveness. Specifically, SMIA was found to negatively predict self-respect, contrary to the hypothesis, while self-respect positively predicted assertiveness, as hypothesized. From these findings, it follows that both SMIA and self-respect independently predict assertiveness. Furthermore, potential pathways of SMIA affecting self-respect are considered in the context of RCT and implications for future research are discussed.Show less
Past research indicates that psychological well-being is positively influenced by protective factors including religiosity, identity achievement, and identity affirmation. However, studies applying...Show morePast research indicates that psychological well-being is positively influenced by protective factors including religiosity, identity achievement, and identity affirmation. However, studies applying this model to SMI populations and investigating the interaction of protective factors listed above are yet scarce. This study, following a strengths-based approach, was focused on intrinsic religiosity and psychological well-being in SMI individuals and investigated whether the relationship between the two was mediated by identity achievement and identity affirmation while having gender as a covariate. An online survey was conducted where the participants were sexual minority adults (N = 241). The hypothesis was investigated using the fourth model of Hayes Mediation and Moderation Analysis Models. Additionally, Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated for each variable. The model yielded insignificant results for both identity achievement (b (SE) = .- 05 (.09), 95% CI: [-.26, .12]) and identity affirmation (b (SE): .03 (.18), 95% CI: [-.40, .34]) as mediators. The total effect of intrinsic religiosity on psychological well-being was also insignificant with b (SE) = -.57 (.57), t = -1.01, p = .31, 95% CI: [-1.69, .55]. The results of the study indicated that the proposed mediation model was insignificant and that the effect of intrinsic religiosity on psychological wellbeing is not mediated by identity achievement or affirmation. Future studies investigating this relationship should aim to obtain a sample with more variance in intrinsic religiosity. It is also recommended to integrate other protective factors into this model such as parental acceptance to explore the interactions in depth.Show less
