A mixed-methods study of social identities in mental health care among LGBTQ young adults of color

Dados Bibliográficos

ID9053675
AutoresK L Moore (0000-0002-2946-6483, New York University), David Camacho (0000-0002-0535-7450, Cornell University), Kimberly N Spencer-Suarez, Kimberly Spencer-Suarez (Columbia University)
Ano2021
Volume91
Fascículo6
Páginas724-737
Data de publicação2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0002-9432 • E-ISSN: 1939-0025
EditoraAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/ort0000570
PMID34166057
OpenAlexW3177167501
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas18
Referências citadas41

Social identities have been shown to reflect normative beliefs and practices that can impact important health behaviors. A better understanding of how this process unfolds among young people with marginalized identities can help inform strategies to decrease mental health disparities and improve their overall health outcomes. A mixed method, convergent parallel design was used to examine identity centrality, mental health treatment history, and cultural experiences of a purposeful sample, consisting of 31 Black and Latinx young adults (Mage = 22.16) who identified as sexual and gender minorities in New York City. Data from validated measures and in-depth interviews were triangulated to strengthen and add context to findings. Participants with higher social identity centrality scores, particularly on community belonging and sexual identity, were more likely to continuously use mental health services. Seven social identities were prominent in qualitative data: Sexual, Ethnic-racial, Religious, Socioeconomic, Gender, Family, and Generational. These social identities were described as interconnected, and as both significant barriers and facilitators to participants' involvement in treatment. Results suggested that young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) people of color seeking mental health care might need more support to navigate experiences related to intersecting identities. Interventions to improve services and maintain these youth in treatment should employ strategies to assess and support positive minority identity development, while also addressing self-stigma and discrimination experienced through culture, family, and mental health professionals. Considering social identity development is conceptually useful for adapting services for diverse youth because it is a major focus of transitioning to adulthood and calls attention to multiple minority identities impacting individual clients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Ethnic group · Focus group · Homosexuality · Human sexuality · Lesbian · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Sexual identity · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Transgender · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Psychology · Social Psychology