<p>The purpose of this research study was to look at the effects of perceived discrimination and sexual positivity on relationship and sexual satisfaction of sexual minority couples. The present study hypothesizes that there will be a moderating relationship between sexual positivity and perceived discrimination; higher levels of sexual positivity will predict higher relationship and sexual satisfaction, and perceived discrimination will negatively effect relationship and sexual satisfaction of couples with lower sexual positivity. Individuals who identify as a sexual minority were asked to participate in this study and answer survey questions pertaining to the level of satisfaction they experience in their romantic relationship and their sexual relationship, how sex positive the individuals are, and the amount of perceived discrimination that they experience; all through a minority stress lens. The results suggest that neither perceived discrimination nor the interaction between perceived discrimination and sexual positivity has a significant impact on the relationship and sexual satisfaction of sexual minority populations. However, the results of this study do suggest a statistically significant relationship between sexual positivity and relationship and sexual satisfaction of sexual minority couples.</p>

Immigrants lose their unique psychosocial context when their experiences are subsumed under pan ethnic labels such as Hispanics, Latina/o, Asians or Africans. The stress from navigating different cultural contexts becomes problematic when immigrants operate within mainstream cultural norms that are in conflict with their traditional values. The number of Kenyan immigrants to the United States has steadily increased since the 1980s. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to study the lived experience of Kenyan immigrants by focusing on their integration experience and how the integration processes may have affected their mental health. Very few studies center on the psychological impact of the integration processes on Africans, while even fewer studies focus on Kenyans. The results of the study could be used by helping professionals to assist Kenyan immigrants with mental health problems as well as policy makers on immigration issues in both Kenya and the United States. Future Kenyan immigrants to the United States can also use this information as they prepare to migrate. The transition theory and social constructionism theory were used as the theoretical lens for this study. Data were collected using semi structured interviews conducted with 7 Kenyan men and women over the age of 18 from Northeastern United States who had immigrated from 1996 to the present day. Coding was used to analyze the data by cross-case analysis to search for themes and patterns. Data analysis revealed discrimination, alienation, shame, overcompensation, and cultural shock among other issues faced by immigrants, but from the Kenyan immigrants' perspective.

The aim of this study was to investigate potential mental health disparities in terms of self-rated depressive symptoms in between groups of LGBTI populations in Sweden and whether age, household income and long-standing illness could explain the possible differences. METHOD: A quantitative study with cross-sectional design was performed among the participants of the EU-LGBTI-II study (n = 2502) in a non-probability sample. Depression symptoms were measured by “Have you been feeling downhearted or depressed over the last two weeks?” and dichotomized into “depressive symptoms” and “no depressive symptoms” through the sample median value. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for household income, age and chronic illness. RESULTS: Prevalence of depressive symptoms was highest among trans (59.8%) and intersex individuals (58.3%) and lowest among gay (30.8%). Associations between sociodemographic factors and both LGBTI subgroups and depressive symptoms were also found. In the model, odds of having depressive symptoms were higher in Trans and Intersex (OR=1.76, 95CI 1.32-2.34) and lower in Gay individuals (OR=0.75, CI 0.57-0.99) as compared to lesbians (reference group). There was no statistically significant difference in depressive symptoms between bisexuals and lesbians. DISCUSSION: Depressive symptoms were more common among trans and intersex people. The results are mostly aligned with previous research of LGBTI mental health.

This thesis addresses a significant knowledge gap in the existing literature on bias-crime, which primarily focuses on minorities while neglecting the experiences of majorities. The primary objective of this study is to shed light on bias-crimes targeting majorities and compare their impact on fear of crime with those experienced by minorities. By analysing data from a sample of 1,616 victims, this research reveals that both minority and majority bias-crime victims exhibit similar patterns in terms of fear of crime. Notably, both groups experience heightened levels of fear compared to victims of non-bias crimes, with no significant difference observed between the two. Moreover, this study identifies several factors associated with fear of crime in both minority and majority victims, including recent victimisation, intersectionality, indirect victimisation, and the presence of visibility/visual identifiers. Although this thesis initially aimed to identify differences between the two groups, it ultimately found striking similarities. The discussion section critically examines the potential role of methodological limitations in shaping these findings and offers insights into their implications. By addressing this research gap, this thesis contributes to the criminological field by offering a more comprehensive understanding of bias-crime and its impact on fear of crime among both minority and majority populations.

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Les personnes LGBTQI+ migrantes portent plusieurs identités minoritaires et par ce fait, sont plus à risque de subir plusieurs formes de discrimination et d’oppression, tel que l’homo-lesbo-bitransphobie, le racisme, le sexisme et/ou la xénophobie. Bien qu’il y ait un intérêt grandissant à l’échelle internationale dans la recherche auprès des communautés LGBTQI+ migrantes, peu de recherches portent sur les pratiques de soutien par les pairs auprès de cette population. Ma démarche de recherche a été inscrite dans une recherche communautaire plus large menée par Dr. Edward Lee en partenariat avec AGIR (Action LGBTQI+ avec les immigrant·e·s et les réfugié·e·s). AGIR est un organisme communautaire qui soutient les personnes migrantes LGBTQI+ et en particulier les réfugié·e·s et les demandeur·se·s d’asile LGBTQI+ à Montréal. Nous avons mobilisé la théorie intersectionnelle et le modèle du stress minoritaire pour analyser un total de (N=14) entretiens qualitatifs semi-dirigés auprès des membres soutenu·e·s, membres du conseil d’administration, membres de l’équipe de soutien et employé·e·s qui sont actuellement ou ont été historiquement impliqués au sein d'AGIR. Des retombées positives du soutien par les pairs ont été constatées en lien avec la santé mentale et le bien-être, la navigation sociale et les relations sociales. Toutefois, des défis en lien avec l’ambiguïté du rôle du-de la pair·e, le manque de formations et de supervision, le risque de burnout et de trauma vicariant ont été identifiés. Finalement, nous avons formulé neuf recommandations en lien avec les récits des participant·e·s pour favoriser le modèle de soutien par les pair·e·s au sein d’AGIR. / LGBTQI + migrants have multiple minority identities and therefore are more at risk of suffering several forms of discrimination and oppression, such as homo-lesbo-bi-transphobia, racism, sexism and/or xenophobia. Although the interest in research with LGBTQI+ migrant communities is increasing internationally, there are few research projects on peer support practices among this population. My research approach is part of a larger community-based research led by Dr. Edward Lee in partnership with AGIR (Action LGBTQI + with immigrants and refugees). AGIR is a community organization that supports LGBTQI+ migrants and in particular LGBTQI + refugees and asylum seekers in Montreal. We mobilized intersectional theory and the minority stress model to analyze a total of (N = 14) qualitative semi-structured interviews with supported members, board members, support team members and employees currently or historically involved within AGIR. Positive results regarding AGIR’s peer support are related to mental health and well-being, social navigation and social relationships. However, challenges related to the ambiguity of the peer role, the lack of training and supervision, and the risk of burnout and vicarious trauma have been identified. Finally, we suggested nine recommendations in connection with participants’ experiences, to promote the peer support model within AGIR. / Las personas migrantes LGBTQI + portan varias identidades minoritarias y, por lo tanto, corren un mayor riesgo de sufrir diversas formas de discriminación y opresión, como la homo-lesbo-bi-transfobia, el racismo, el sexismo y/o la xenofobia. Aunque existe un creciente interés internacional en la investigación con comunidades LGBTQI+ migrantes, poca investigación se ha centrado en las prácticas de apoyo entre pares en esta población. El presente proyecto de investigación fue parte de una investigación comunitaria más grande dirigida por el Dr. Edward Lee en asociación con AGIR (Acción LGBTQI + con inmigrantes y refugiados). AGIR es una organización comunitaria que apoya a los migrantes LGBTQI + y en particular a los refugiados y solicitantes de asilo LGBTQI+ en Montreal. En este proyecto mobilizamos la teoría interseccional y el modelo de estrés minoritario para analizar un total de (N = 14) entrevistas semiestructuradas cualitativas con miembros usuarixs, miembros del consejo de administración, miembros del equipo de apoyo y empleadxs que están actualmente o han estado involucradxs históricamente en AGIR. Este proyecto a documentado efectos positivos del apoyo entre pares en relación con la salud mental y el bienestar, la navegación social y las relaciones sociales. Sin embargo, se han identificado desafíos relacionados con la ambigüedad del rol de los pares, la falta de capacitación y supervisión, el riesgo de burnout y de trauma indirecto. Finalmente, hicimos nueve recomendaciones relacionadas con las experiencias de los participantes para promover el modelo de apoyo entre pares dentro de AGIR.

Plusieurs enquêtes états-uniennes et canadiennes montrent que les personnes de la diversité sexuelle et de genre sont plus vulnérables face aux problèmes de santé mentale (détresse psychologique, dépression, troubles anxieux, problèmes de consommation, etc.) et plus à risque d’être victimes de violences conjugales au cours de leur vie. Mais cette population n’est pas homogène : parmi les différents sous-groupes de la communauté LGBTQ+ (lesbienne, gai, bisexuel·le, trans, queer et autre), les femmes de la diversité sexuelle sont particulièrement vulnérables face à ces problématiques. Le modèle du stress minoritaire explique cette vulnérabilité par le fait que les personnes de la diversité sexuelle et de genre souffrent de facteurs de stress spécifiques qui peuvent avoir des conséquences sur leur santé mentale et leurs relations. Ces facteurs peuvent être exogènes, c’est-à-dire provenir de l’extérieur de l’individu, comme les préjudices vécus dus à son identité sexuelle et de genre (harcèlement, discrimination, violence physique, etc.). Mais ils peuvent aussi être endogènes, c’est-à-dire provenant de l’individu lui-même. Ils sont alors plus subjectifs, comme le fait de s’attendre à être stigmatisé (la stigmatisation anticipée), le non-dévoilement de son identité sexuelle et/ou de genre et l’homophobie ou la transphobie intériorisée. L’objectif principal de ce mémoire est d’examiner l’impact des facteurs de stress minoritaire et des différentes formes de victimisation conjugale sur les symptômes de dépression et d’anxiété chez les femmes de la diversité sexuelle, en fonction de leur identité sexuelle et de genre. Pour réaliser cette étude, 209 personnes qui s’identifient comme femme (âge moyen = 33,9 ans), vivant au Canada et qui ont vécu des violences dans une relation intime avec une femme par le passé ont répondu à notre questionnaire en ligne. Nous avons mesuré l’identité sexuelle et de genre, la victimisation conjugale, les facteurs de stress minoritaire, et les symptômes de dépression et d’anxiété. Des régressions hiérarchiques montrent que les sentiments négatifs sur son appartenance à la diversité sexuelle sont positivement associés aux symptômes de dépression et d’anxiété, même après avoir contrôlé pour l’âge, l’ethnie, l’identité sexuelle et de genre et la victimisation. La victimisation psychologique est également positivement associée aux symptômes d’anxiété et la victimisation sexuelle aux symptômes de dépression. L’âge est négativement associé aux symptômes d’anxiété et ne pas être attiré strictement par les femmes (s’identifier comme bisexuel·le, pansexuel·le, queer ou autre) est positivement associé aux symptômes de dépression dans notre échantillon. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles informations sur l’association entre les violences conjugales, le stress minoritaire et la santé mentale. Ainsi, ce mémoire montre l’impact de la victimisation conjugale sur la santé mentale des femmes de la diversité sexuelle ayant été victimes de violences conjugales. Il met également en avant l’impact significatif des sentiments négatifs sur son appartenance à la diversité sexuelle, une composante de l’homophobie intériorisée, sur les symptômes d’anxiété et de dépression. Il vient souligner la nécessité d’évaluer les besoins de cette population, et plus largement de toute la diversité sexuelle et de genre, et d’adapter les interventions auprès des victimes de violences conjugales à ces besoins. / Canadian and American population surveys show that people from the sexual diversity and gender-diverse people are more at risk of mental health problems (psychological distress, depression, anxiety disorders, substance use problems) and of being victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. But the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other) community is not homogeneous: between the different subgroups of this population, sexual minority women (SMW) are at particularly high risk of experiencing stigma, mental health problems and being victims of IPV. This vulnerability can be explained by the sexual and gender minority stress model, stating that sexual and gender minority people suffer from specific stress factors added to general stressors, leading to more mental health and relationship problems. Those stress factors can be distal, such as prejudice events one suffers from based on their sexual or gender identity (harassment, discrimination, physical violence, etc.). But they can also be proximal, and therefore more subjective, such as expecting to be rejected or discriminated (also called stigma consciousness), concealing one’s sexual or gender identity, or suffering from internalized homophobia or transphobia. The main goal of this Master’s thesis was to assess the impact of minority stress factors and of different forms of past IPV victimization on the current mental health of Canadian SMW, as a function of their sexual and gender identity. In total, 209 individuals identifying as women (M age = 33,9), living in Canada and who lived in a violent intimate relationship with a woman in the past answered our online survey. Questionnaire assessed sexual orientation and gender identity, IPV behaviors, minority stress factors, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Hierarchical regressions showed that psychological aggression was positively associated with anxiety symptoms and sexual coercion with depressive symptoms. Not being strictly attracted to women (i.e. identifying as bisexual, pansexual, queer or something else) was also associated to high symptoms of depression and age was negatively associated to anxiety symptoms. After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, sexual and gender identity and IPV victimization, having negative feelings about being a SMW was strongly associated with both depression and anxiety symptoms. This Master’s thesis provides new information on the interconnected associations among IPV, minority stress and SMW’s mental health. It shows the importance of LGBTQ+ specific stress factors, particularly of negative feelings about being a SMW, on the mental health of SMW IPV survivors. It highlights the necessity to evaluate the needs of SMW IPV survivors and, more broadly, of all sexual and gender minorities. This could allow clinical intervention to be more adapted to the needs of LGBTQ+ IPV victims and therefore help buffer against victimization they are faced by.

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