Positive emotional memories, stigma, and mental health in sexual and gender minority adults: The mediating role of self-compassion and social support

Abstract

Literature reveals that memories of warmth and safeness, self-compassion, and social support are positively related to mental health. The present study aimed to analyze the impact of early memories of warmth and safeness and internalized homophobic stigma on mental health, through self-compassion and perceived social support, in sexual and gender minority adults. With a cross-sectional design, this study included a sample of 203 sexual and gender minority individuals (Meanage = 27.74; Standard Deviationage = 8.75). Data collection occurred online between March and June 2022. Self-report ques- tionnaires were administered to assess the constructs under study. Positive correlations were found between early positive memories, self-compassion, perceived social support, and mental health. On the contrary, internalized stigma showed significant and negative correlations with self-compassion, perceived social support, and mental health. In addition, results confirmed the indirect effects of memories of warmth and safeness on mental health through self-compassion and social support. Also, the impact of stigma on mental health occurred entirely through self-compassion and social support. These results suggest the importance of promoting self-compassion and social support to address internalized stigma and thus improve sexual and gender minority adult’s mental health.