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Stigma is a multi-facetted construct that permeates the daily lives of sexual minorities including perceptions of self and social interactions. While research findings are ubiquitous on the negative mental health outcomes of living with a stigmatized identity (Link & Phelan, 2001), little is known about how perceived stigma may influence relationship satisfaction among sexual minorities. The present study investigated the relationship between perceived stigma and relationship satisfaction and whether psychological distress served as a mediating mechanism. Furthermore, a unique aspect of this study is its examination of multiple domains of stigma. Results indicated that sexual minorities experienced more perceived discrimination, public stigma, and self-stigma than heterosexuals as well as were less out about their sexuality. Main results did not support psychological distress as mediator but did reveal that self-stigma was significantly related to decreased relationship satisfaction among sexual minorities. Future research should focus on further elucidating the relationship between self-stigma and relationship satisfaction.

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Sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging-adult college students experience unprecedented rates of psychopathology. They are also more likely to experience barriers to accessing traditional mental health resources and spiritual support groups and are more apt to seek support in alternative ways, such as through campus LGTBQIA+ support groups and online communities. Spiritual-mind-body (SMB) group wellness programming may fill an important role as a more accessible service for SGM students and as an adjunct to individual mental health services. The primary aim of the present study is to investigate the utility of Awakened Awareness for Adolescents and Emerging Adults (AA-A), a group SMB wellness intervention designed to support spiritual individuation and mental health, to support SGM college student spirituality, mental health, psychological, and psychosocial wellness. A secondary aim was to examine differences in SGM students’ response to AA-A when delivered online versus in-person using exploratory analyses. Participants were 116 non-clinically referred, self-selected undergraduates aged 18-25. Self-report measures captured spiritual well-being, psychological well-being, psychosocial well-being, and symptoms of psychopathology. SGM students’ rate of enrollment in AA-A was compared to broader university and national college demographics using chi-square analyses. SGM and non-SGM student engagement in AA-A was measured by the average number of sessions attended and compared using an independent sample t-test. SGM and non-SGM student pre-intervention wellness was compared using independent sample t-tests. Changes in wellness at post-intervention were assessed using paired sample t-tests, and differences in post-intervention changes in wellness were analyzed as a function of ethnicity and SGM status using independent sample t-tests and ANOVAs of change scores. Exploratory two-way ANOVAs were conducted and interactions between SGM status and AA-A delivery method on well-being change scores were analyzed to determine whether SGM students responded uniquely from their peers to the online delivery format. SGM students had greater spiritual and wellness support needs at pre-intervention as compared with their non-SGM peers and were twice as likely to enroll in AA-A, and more likely to stay and engage in the program. SGM students had statistically parallel rates of improvement across most measures of well-being, and statistically even greater rates of improvement on some psychological and psychosocial measures of well-being capturing negative self-talk and self-concept. Among students who participated in AA-A delivered online and during the COVID-19 pandemic, SGM students benefitted more than their non-SGM peers. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the AA-A intervention to support SGM college student spiritual well-being and mental health across both in-person and online delivery methods, and exploratory analyses indicate that the online delivery method may be a particularly helpful format for SGM students to engage.

Despite legal and policy advancements in South Africa, prejudice, discrimination and victimisation are still a reality for many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the country. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has embarked on a process to develop lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) affirmative practice guidelines for psychology professionals, when working with these client populations. As a part of the larger objective, this research study highlights LGB people’s experiences of psychotherapy and counselling in South Africa as possible inputs for the mentioned practice guidelines. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with selected participants. The results indicate that some aspects of LGB people’s experiences are similar to those of anyone in psychotherapy or counselling, but also that there are distinct differences. Negative experiences were almost exclusively due to the counsellor being disaffirming of the client's sexual orientation. Self-acceptance and the development of alternative perspectives of sexuality were more prominent outcomes of counselling compared to studies among broader populations. The participants’ feedback on a list of affirmative statements provides a potential basis for future affirmative practice guidelines. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)