Family support: A predictor of outness and psychological well-being in LGBTQ+ adult children of immigrants

Abstract

Researchers have documented mental health disparities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) populations. Although the LGBTQ+ identity is often a predictor of negative mental health outcomes by itself, those with multiple minority identities may face greater mental health disparities due to higher rates of minority stress. Little research has been conducted to examine the mental health of LGBTQ+ adult children of immigrants. There has yet to be research that explores family support in relation to microaggressions and microaffirmations in LGBTQ+ children of immigrants. The objective of this study was to determine if family support, as measured by interpersonal and environmental microaggressions and microaffirmations, predicted levels of outness and levels of psychological well-being in LGBTQ+ adult children of immigrants. Additionally, the researcher assessed if family support was a moderator in the relationship between outness and wellbeing. The sample size consisted of 109 participants. Results showed that family support did not predict outness in LGBTQ+ adult children of immigrants. Environmental microaffirmations did predict psychological well-being in LGBTQ+ adult children of immigrants. Environmental microaggressions moderated the relationship between outness and psychological well-being. The researcher discusses implications for counseling psychology and future directions for research.