Top

Mindfulness

Gepubliceerd in:

20-03-2023 | ORIGINAL PAPER

The Role of Self-Compassion in Minority Stress Processes and Life Satisfaction among Sexual Minorities in Hong Kong

Auteurs: Eddie S. K. Chong, Randolph C. H. Chan

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 4/2023

Abstract

Objectives

Self-compassion has consistently been linked to positive health outcomes. Emerging evidence has been gathered that reveals self-warmth and self-coldness as two distinctive components of self-compassion in cultures that embrace dialecticism (i.e., a belief that change is constant, contradictions coexist, and everything is interconnected). Each of these components contributed unique variances in explaining health outcomes. While self-compassion may be particularly relevant for the stigmatized population such as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people given their exposure to and internationalization of public stigma, little evidence has been gathered to clarify the links of self-compassion, proximal stressors, and well-being among LGB people in dialectical cultures.

Method

Using a sample of 505 LGB adults in Hong Kong, this study examined how the two self-compassion components were linked to life satisfaction via proximal stressors and whether the self-compassion dimensions moderated the links between proximal stressors and life satisfaction.

Results

Results indicated that internalized homonegativity partially mediated the association between components of self-compassion (i.e., self-warmth and self-coldness) and life satisfaction. The association between self-coldness and life satisfaction was also partially mediated by acceptance concerns. Self-coldness also moderated the associations of internalized homonegativity and acceptance concerns with life satisfaction, such that internalized homonegativity and acceptance concerns were only negatively associated with life satisfaction when self-coldness was high.

Conclusions

Our study shows that supporting LGB people in dialectical cultures to cultivate self-compassion may involve separate processes: acknowledging the survival functions of self-coldness while fostering self-warmth.

Preregistration

This study is not pre-registered.

vorige artikel Meditation Practice, Mindfulness, and Pain-Related Outcomes in Mindfulness-Based Treatment for Episodic Migraine

volgende artikel Is Mindfulness Associated With Safer Cannabis Use? A Latent Profile Analysis of Dispositional Mindfulness Among College Students Who Use Cannabis

Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103, 411–423. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.3.411

Beard, K., Eames, C., & Withers, P. (2017). The role of self-compassion in the well-being of self-identifying gay men. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health, 21, 77–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2016.1233163CrossRef

Brenner, R. E., Heath, P. J., Vogel, D. L., & Credé, M. (2017). Two is more valid than one: Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64, 696–707. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000211CrossRefPubMed

Brenner, R. E., Vogel, D. L., Lannin, D. G., Engel, K. E., Seidman, A. J., & Heath, P. J. (2018). Do self-compassion and self-coldness distinctly relate to distress and well-being? A theoretical model of self-relating. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 65, 346–357. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000257

Brown-Beresford, E., & McLaren, S. (2022). The relationship between self-compassion, internalized heterosexism, and depressive symptoms among bisexual and lesbian women. Journal of Bisexuality, 22, 90–115. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2021.2004483CrossRef

Buz, J., Crego, A., Yela, J. R., Sánchez-Zaballos, E., & Ayuso, A. (2022). Should we use a total score, two subscale scores, or six subscale scores for the Self-Compassion Scale? A multi-faceted assessment beyond model fit indices. Mindfulness, 13, 1793–1803. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01917-4CrossRef

Carvalho, S. A., & Guiomar, R. (2022). Self-compassion and mental health in sexual and gender minority people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. LGBT Health, 9, 287–302. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2021.0434CrossRefPubMed

Chan, R. C. H., & Leung, J. S. Y. (2022). Monosexism as an additional dimension of minority stress affecting mental health among bisexual and pansexual individuals in Hong Kong: The role of gender and sexual identity integration. The Journal of Sex Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2119546CrossRefPubMed

Chan, R. C. H., & Mak, W. W. S. (2021). Resistance as a form of resilience in sexual and gender minorities: Differential moderating roles of collective action on the discrimination–depression relationship among sexual minority men and women. Social Science & Medicine, 280, 114056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114056CrossRef

Chan, K. K. S., Yung, C. S. W., & Nie, G. M. (2020). Self-compassion buffers the negative psychological impact of stigma stress on sexual minorities. Mindfulness, 11, 2338–2348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01451-1CrossRef

Chandler, S. L. L. (2013). Can self-compassion be induced to reduce sexual minority stigma and protect psychological functioning? (Order No. 1524015) [Master's thesis, East Tennessee State University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.proquest.com/docview/1442772738

Charlemagne-Badal, S. J., Lee, J. W., Butler, T. L., & Fraser, G. E. (2015). Conceptual domains included in wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments: A review. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 10, 305–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9306-6CrossRef

Chio, F. H. N., Mak, W. W. S., & Yu, B. C. L. (2021). Meta-analytic review on the differential effects of self-compassion components on well-being and psychological distress: The moderating role of dialecticism on self-compassion. Clinical Psychology Review, 85, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.101986CrossRef

Chong, E. S., Zhang, Y., Mak, W. W., & Pang, I. H. (2015). Social media as social capital of LGB individuals in Hong Kong: Its relations with group membership, stigma, and mental well-being. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55, 228–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-014-9699-2CrossRefPubMed

Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.112.1.155

Costa, J., Marôco, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Ferreira, C., & Castilho, P. (2016). Validation of the psychometric properties of the self-compassion scale. Testing the factorial validity and factorial invariance of the measure among borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder and general populations. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 23, 460–468. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1974CrossRefPubMed

Crowell, K. A., Galliher, R. V., Dehlin, J., & Bradshaw, W. S. (2015). Specific aspects of minority stress associated with depression among LDS affiliated non-heterosexual adults. Journal of Homosexuality, 62, 242–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2014.969611CrossRefPubMed

de Oliveira, J. M., Lopes, D., Costa, C. G., & Nogueira, C. (2012). Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS): Construct validation, sensitivity analyses and other psychometric properties. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 15, 334–347. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_SJOP.2012.v15.n1.37340CrossRefPubMed

Denton, F. N., Rostosky, S. S., & Danner, F. (2014). Stigma-related stressors, coping self-efficacy, and physical health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61, 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036707CrossRefPubMed

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003035312-41CrossRefPubMed

Doyle, D. M., Qualter, P., Victor, C., & Barreto, M. (2022). The impact of country-level structural stigma on loneliness and social capital in older and younger LGB individuals in 113 countries: Dinah Gutermuth. European Journal of Public Health, 32(Supplement_3), ckac129.193. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.193CrossRefPubMedCentral

Frable, D. E. S., Wortman, C., & Joseph, J. (1997). Predicting self-esteem, well-being, and distress in a cohort of gay men: The importance of cultural stigma, personal visibility, community networks, and positive identity. Journal of Personality, 65, 599–624. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00328.xCrossRefPubMed

Gertler, L. M. (2014). The coming out experience, internalized homophobia and self-compassion in LGBQ young adults (Publication No. 3663383) [Doctoral dissertation, The Wright Institute]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.proquest.com/docview/1696048429

Ghavami, N., Fingerhut, A., Peplau, L. A., Grant, S. K., & Wittig, M. A. (2011). Testing a model of minority identity achievement, identity affirmation, and psychological well-being among ethnic minority and sexual minority individuals. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17, 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022532CrossRefPubMed

Gilbert, P. (Ed.). (2005). Compassion Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy. Routledge.

Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: Development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84, 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608310X526511CrossRef

Greene, D. C., & Britton, P. J. (2015). Predicting adult LGBTQ happiness: Impact of childhood affirmation, self-compassion, and personal mastery. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 9, 158–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2015.1068143CrossRef

Hatzenbuehler, M. L. (2009). How does sexual minority stigma “get under the skin”? A psychological mediation framework. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 707–730. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016441CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Hatzenbuehler, M. L. (2016). Structural stigma: Research evidence and implications for psychological science. American Psychologist, 71, 742. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000068CrossRefPubMed

Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118CrossRef

Jennings, L. K., & Tan, P. P. (2014). Self-compassion and life satisfaction in gay men. Psychological Reports, 115, 888–895. https://doi.org/10.2466/21.07.PR0.115c33z3CrossRefPubMed

Keng, S. L., & Liew, K. W. L. (2017). Trait mindfulness and self-compassion as moderators of the association between gender nonconformity and psychological health. Mindfulness, 8, 615–626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0639-0CrossRef

Körner, A., Coroiu, A., Copeland, L., Gomez-Garibello, C., Albani, C., Zenger, M., & Brähler, E. (2015). The role of self-compassion in buffering symptoms of depression in the general population. PLoS ONE, 10, e01420274. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0142027CrossRef

LaDuke, S. L. (2016). Exploring protective factors among lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: A framework for psychological well-being and relative influence (Publication No. 3130) [Doctoral dissertation, East Tennessee State University]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.proquest.com/docview/1844393345

Liao, K. Y. H., Kashubeck-West, S., Weng, C. Y., & Deitz, C. (2015). Testing a mediation framework for the link between perceived discrimination and psychological distress among sexual minority individuals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62, 226–241. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000064CrossRefPubMed

Lin, Y. J., Israel, T., & Ryan, W. S. (2019). Releasing internalized stigma for empowerment: Development of theory-driven interventions for sexual and gender minorities. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 13, 276–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2019.1662358CrossRef

López, A., Sanderman, R., Smink, A., Zhang, Y., Van Sonderen, E., Ranchor, A., & Schroevers, M. J. (2015). A reconsideration of the self-compassion scale’s total score: Self-compassion versus self-criticism. PLoS ONE, 10, e0132940. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0132940CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Ma, G. Y., & Mak, W. W. (2022). Associations of perceived stigma, perceived environmental inaccessibility, and self-compassion among people with physical disability in Hong Kong. Disability and Health Journal, 15, 101274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101274

MacBeth, A., & Gumley, A. (2012). Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 32, 545–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CPR.2012.06.003CrossRefPubMed

Matos, M., Carvalho, S. A., Cunha, M., Galhardo, A., & Sepodes, C. (2017). Psychological flexibility and self-compassion in gay and heterosexual men: How they relate to childhood memories, shame, and depressive symptoms. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 11, 88–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2017.1310007CrossRef

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Mohr, J. J., & Kendra, M. S. (2011). Revision and extension of a multidimensional measure of sexual minority identity: The lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58, 234–245. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022858CrossRefPubMed

Mohr, J. J., & Sarno, E. L. (2016). The ups and downs of being lesbian, gay, and bisexual: A daily experience perspective on minority stress and support processes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63, 106–118. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000125CrossRefPubMed

Muris, P., & Otgaar, H. (2022). Deconstructing self-compassion: How the continued use of the total score of the self-compassion scale hinders studying a protective construct within the context of psychopathology and stress. Mindfulness, 13, 1403–1409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01898-4CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Muris, P., & Petrocchi, N. (2017). Protection or vulnerability? A meta-analysis of the relations between the positive and negative components of self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 24, 373–383. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2005CrossRefPubMed

Muris, P., Otgaar, H., & Petrocchi, N. (2016). Protection as the mirror image of psychopathology: Further critical notes on the Self-Compassion Scale. Mindfulness, 7, 787–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0509-9CrossRef

Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027CrossRef

Neff, K. D. (2016). The self-compassion scale is a valid and theoretically coherent measure of self-compassion. Mindfulness, 7, 264–274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0479-3CrossRef

Neff, K. D. (2023). Self-compassion: Theory, method, research, and intervention. Annual Review of Psychology, 74, 193–218. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047CrossRefPubMed

Pachankis, J. E., Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Bränström, R., Schmidt, A. J., Berg, R. C., Jonas, K., Pitoňák, M., Baros, S., & Weatherburn, P. (2021). Structural stigma and sexual minority men’s depression and suicidality: A multilevel examination of mechanisms and mobility across 48 countries. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 130, 713–726. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000693CrossRefPubMed

Pascoe, E., & Smart-Richman, L. (2009). Perceived discrimination and health: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 531–554. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016059.PerceivedCrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Peng, K., & Nisbett, R. E. (1999). Culture, dialectics, and reasoning about contradiction. American Psychologist, 54, 741. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.9.741CrossRef

Perales, F., & Todd, A. (2018). Structural stigma and the health and wellbeing of Australian LGB populations: Exploiting geographic variation in the results of the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite. Social Science & Medicine, 208, 190–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.05.015CrossRef

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2012). Sources of method bias in social science research and recommendations on how to control it. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 539–569. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100452

Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40, 879-891. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.40.3.879

Preacher, K. J., & Kelley, K. (2011). Effect size measures for mediation models: Quantitative strategies for communicating indirect effects. Psychological Methods, 16, 93–115. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0022658CrossRefPubMed

Puckett, J. A., Levitt, H. M., Horne, S. G., & Hayes-Skelton, S. A. (2015). Internalized heterosexism and psychological distress: The mediating roles of self-criticism and community connectedness. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2, 426-435. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000123

Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 18, 250–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.702CrossRefPubMed

Rogers, W. M., & Schmitt, N. (2004). Parameter recovery and model fit using multidimensional composites: A comparison of four empirical parceling algorithms. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39, 379-412. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327906MBR3903_1

Schimmack, U., Oishi, S., & Diener, E. (2002). Cultural influences on the relation between pleasant emotions and unpleasant emotions: Asian dialectic philosophies or individualism-collectivism? Cognition & Emotion, 16, 705–719. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930143000590CrossRef

Schmitt, M. T., Branscombe, N. R., & Garcia, A. (2014). The consequences of perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140, 921–948. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035754CrossRefPubMed

Skinta, M. D., Lezama, M., Wells, G., & Dilley, J. W. (2015). Acceptance and compassion-based group therapy to reduce HIV stigma. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 481–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.05.006CrossRef

Skinta, M. D., Fekete, E. M., & Williams, S. L. (2018). HIV-stigma, self-compassion, and psychological well-being among gay men living with HIV. Stigma and Health, 4, 179–187. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000133CrossRef

Spencer-Rodgers, J., Boucher, H. C., Peng, K., & Wang, L. (2009). Cultural differences in self-verification: The role of naïve dialecticism. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 860–866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.03.004CrossRef

Suen, Y. T., Wong, E. M. Y., & Chan, R. C. H. (2022). Experiences of COVID-19 among Chinese-speaking lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Hong Kong: An inductive thematic analysis of survey response data. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 30, 2102537. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2022.2102537CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Szymanski, D. M., Dunn, T. L., & Ikizler, A. S. (2014). Multiple minority stressors and psychological distress among sexual minority women: The roles of rumination and maladaptive coping. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1, 412–421. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000066CrossRef

Test, M. A., Greenberg, J. S., Long, J. D., Brekke, J. S., & Burke, S. S. (2005). Construct validity of a measure of subjective satisfaction with life of adults with serious mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 56, 292–300. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.56.3.292CrossRefPubMed

Vigna, A. J., Poehlmann-Tynan, J., & Koenig, B. W. (2017). Does self-compassion facilitate resilience to stigma? A school-based study of sexual and gender minority youth. Mindfulness, 9, 914–924. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0831-xCrossRef

Williams, S. L., Mann, A. K., & Fredrick, E. G. (2017). Proximal minority stress, psychosocial resources, and health in sexual minorities. Journal of Social Issues, 73, 529–544. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12230CrossRef

Wong, C. C. Y., Knee, C. R., Neighbors, C., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2019). Hacking stigma by loving yourself: A mediated-moderation model of self-compassion and stigma. Mindfulness, 10, 415–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0984-2CrossRef

Yadavaia, J. E., & Hayes, S. C. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy for self-stigma around sexual orientation: A multiple baseline evaluation. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19, 545–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2011.09.002CrossRef

Yang, X., & Mak, W. W. S. (2017). The differential moderating roles of self-compassion and mindfulness in self-stigma and well-being among people living with mental illness or HIV. Mindfulness, 8, 595–602. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-016-0635-4CrossRef

Yeo, T. E. D., & Chu, T. H. (2018). Beyond homonegativity: Understanding Hong Kong people’s attitudes about social acceptance of gay/lesbian people, sexual orientation discrimination protection, and same-sex marriage. Journal of Homosexuality, 65, 1372–1390. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2017.1375363CrossRefPubMed

Yip, V. T., & Tong, M. W. E. (2020). Self-compassion and attention: self-compassion facilitates disengagement from negative stimuli. Journal of Positive Psychology, 16, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1778060CrossRef

Zessin, U., Dickhäuser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015). The relationship between self-compassion and well-being: A meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 7, 340–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12051CrossRefPubMed

Titel: The Role of Self-Compassion in Minority Stress Processes and Life Satisfaction among Sexual Minorities in Hong Kong
Auteurs: Eddie S. K. Chong
Randolph C. H. Chan
Publicatiedatum: 20-03-2023
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02106-7

Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

Preregistration

Log in om toegang te krijgen

Andere artikelen Uitgave 4/2023

Meditation Practice, Mindfulness, and Pain-Related Outcomes in Mindfulness-Based Treatment for Episodic Migraine

Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Perinatal Mindfulness-Based Well-Being and Parenting Programs for Low-Income New Mothers

Mindfulness Profiles Among Chinese University Students: Exploring Differences in Phenomenon, Cognition, and Performance of Mind Wandering

Increased Effect Sizes in a Mindfulness- and Yoga-Based Intervention After Adjusting for Response Shift with Then-Test

Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Reduce Burnout of College Students in China? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Beyond Mindfulness Assessed by Questionnaires: The Mindful-Breathing Exercise as an Additional Approach in PTSD and Depression