Text

theses

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ; i.e., sexual minority) people are significantly more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). While some research suggests that experiences of minority stress (e.g., discrimination based on sexual identity) increases risk for NSSI in sexual minorities, no studies to date have examined whether minority stress influences NSSI thoughts and behaviors in real-time. The current study fills this gap in the literature by utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine minority stress, NSSI, and mental health in LGBQ adults. 21 LGBQ adults (aged 18-50) with recent histories of NSSI completed multiple surveys a day over a two-week monitoring period, answering questions about minority stress, psychological distress, NSSI thoughts, NSSI behaviors, rumination, and other related constructs. Results largely supported two of three primary hypotheses. First, greater experiences of minority stress concurrently and prospectively predicted greater psychological distress in real-time. Second, greater experiences of minority stress concurrently predicted greater engagement in NSSI thoughts and behaviors at the same timepoint and on the same day during EMA. Third, while rumination was associated with both minority stress and NSSI, it did not mediate the relationship between minority stress and NSSI. These findings extend current understanding of the impact of minority stress and rumination on NSSI in LGBQ adults, and they have important implications for future research on NSSI as well as potential intervention and prevention methods for self-harm in sexual minority populations.

ETD_10148

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

doi:10.7282/t3-jcwd-v490

ETD doctoral

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