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Social Support and Personal Mastery as Protective Resources During Emerging Adulthood

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Abstract

During emerging adulthood, lesbian and gay (LG) adults must develop an identity within the social context of heterosexist discrimination. Our specific aims were to examine differences by sexual orientation in depressive symptomatology and self-esteem and explore the role of personal resources in explaining these aspects of psychological well-being. Data were analyzed on 306 participants in emerging adulthood who completed an online survey. LG individuals experienced higher depressive symptomatology and lower self-esteem than heterosexuals, and variations in well-being were explained by personal mastery and social support. The instability which characterizes emerging adulthood is likely compounded by the developmental challenges posed by heterosexism. The formation of social relationships, coupled with personal mastery, appear to serve as protective resources during emerging adulthood.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the 2004 West Virginia University Equity in Education Grant for Graduate Student Research. Dr. Spencer would like to thank Jason Vickers, Sarah Downes, John Blosnich, Candace Lensiewski, Adam Babich, John Hagen, and members of her doctoral dissertation committee for their invaluable assistance with this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior and the Institute for Southern Studies, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Room 216, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    S. Melinda Spencer

  2. Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

    Julie Hicks Patrick

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  1. S. Melinda Spencer
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  2. Julie Hicks Patrick
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Correspondence to S. Melinda Spencer.

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Spencer, S.M., Patrick, J.H. Social Support and Personal Mastery as Protective Resources During Emerging Adulthood. J Adult Dev 16, 191–198 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-009-9064-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-009-9064-0

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