A Structural Equation Model for Predicting Depressive Symptomatology in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People in the UK

Abstract

This study identifies the predictors of depressive symptomatology in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the UK. 289 White and BAME LGB individuals participated in a cross-sectional survey. BAME participants exhibited significantly more discrimination, rejection from significant others, ethnic victimization, internalized homophobia and concealment motivation than White participants. They manifested greater internalized homophobia, less outness and greater drug use than White participants. Outness was associated with less depressive symptomatology, and internalized homophobia and victimization with more depressive symptomatology. The structural equation model showed a significant effect of ethnicity on depressive symptomatology. This relationship was mediated by the situational stressors, the psychological schemata and coping variables. Consistent with the cognitive-behavioral model, the results indicate that exposure to situational stressors can increase the risk of developing a self-hatred and depressive psychological self-schema, maladaptive coping strategies and depressive symptomatology in BAME LGB people in the UK.