Thesis Poster for Outstanding Undergraduate Research by Nie (2019). "STIGMA RESISTANCE AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG SEXUAL MINORITIES IN HONG KONG: A MODERATED MEDIATION MODEL"

1. Demographic Data: N=401 (200 males, 201 female) Hong Kong residents, aged
from 18-56. 28.9% lesbians (N=116) , 41.6% gays (N= 167), 8.2% bisexual male
(N=33) and 21.2% bisexual females (N=85) individuals. Respondents are
recruited from sexual minorities carnivals (eg. PinkDot, PrideParade), various
LGB social networking apps (e.g. Butterfly, Hornet), LGB organization (e.g.
LesCorner) and acquaintance.
Data Analysis: the moderated mediation model was evaluated with SPSS
PROCESS macro (Model 4) (Hayes, 2003)
Stigma: stereotypical beliefs and prejudicial attitudes endorsed by a sizeable
group in society toward a discredited subgroup (Link & Phelan, 2001).
Stigma Resistance (SR): the process of “using one’s experiences,
skills, and knowledge to develop a positive identity” on personal,
peer, and public levels (Firmin, 2017, a). Different dimensions
include self-other differentiation, personal identity, personal
cognitions, peer stigma resistance, and public stigma resistance.
• Desirable highSR: self-esteem ↑, empowerment ↑
• Insidiouslow SR: depression↑, stigma measures ↑
Internalized Stigma/Self Stigma (SS): personal acceptance or
internalization of misconceptions, prejudice, negative evaluation
of non-heterosexuality among sexual minorities.
• LowSS: emotional well-being ↑
• HighSS: depression ↑, social anxiety↑,
emotional vulnerability ↑, coping appraisal ↓
Experienced Stigma (ES): an umbrella concept for various forms of
direct discrimination such as hate crimes, repeated bullying,
ostracism and subtle denigration in different settings; a very huge
threat on LGB well-being.
LGB Mental Health: LGB individuals are reported to be more susceptible to
psychological distress, higher chances of involving in risky behaviors, and
poorer performance outcomes (Frost, 2011). To probe deeply into the issue,
both psychological well-beingand psychologicaldistressneed to be addressed.
Research Gap: despite that SR recently being an increasingly interested topic,
limited research has been conducted to reveal the interplay between SR and ES
in affecting mental health of LGB.
Research Questions: do LGB people with resisting attempts against stigma have
better psychological well-being and lower psychological distress, through the
mediation of internalized stigma? For people with different severity of stigma
experiences, does the aforementioned mechanism alter?
Research Aims: this study aims to investigate the potential mediating role of SS
in the association between SR and mental health, and to explore the potential
moderating role of ES of weakening the impact of SR on SS.
Hypothesis 1 Self stigma mediates the positive association between SR and
psychological well-being.
Hypothesis 2 Self stigma mediates the negative association between SR and
psychological distress.
Hypothesis 3 Experienced stigma acts as a moderator which weakens the
impact of SR on SS
Hypothesis1 was supported.
The standardized indirect effect was (-.471)(-.316)=.149.
Hypothesis2 was supported.
The standardized indirect effect was (-.471)(.239)=.113
Hypothesis 3, the moderated-mediation model, was NOT supported, with the
index of moderated-mediation not being significant, index=.32, SE=.04, 95% CI
[.24, .40]. In other words, the indirect effect of SR was not moderated by the
severity of stigma experience.
Moderation analysis showed unexpected results that the effect of SR on
psychological well-being or distress via SS was not influenced by severity of ES,
which implied that LGB individuals who make efforts in resisting stigmas attached
to them can flourish and enjoy positive well-being and ward off mental anguish
and affliction regardless of their past or ongoing experiences with discrimination,
prejudice and stigmas in the heterosexist society.
To put it simply, stigma resistance serves a protective and
empowering role for the mental health of sexual minority. Despite
being on a marginalized position, their rebellious spirits and actions
render them impregnable and unassailable even when besmirched by
manyin today’sworldintolerant of diversityand inclusion.
Firmin, R. L., Luther, L., Lysaker, P. H., Minor, K. S., McGrew, J. H., Cornwell, M. N., & Salyers, M. P.
(2017). Stigma resistance at the personal, peer, and public levels: A new conceptual model.
Stigma and Health, 2(3), 182.
Hayes, Andrew F.(2013). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis:
A Regression‐Based Approach. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Journal of Educational
Measurement, 51(3), 335-337.
Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual Review of Sociology, 27,363–385.
Introduction
Research Questions, Aims & Hypotheses
Methods
Results
Discussion
Implication & Application
Main Reference
Figure 1 Figure 2
Note:*p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p <.001
Limitation & Suggestions
• Disadvantages of a cross-sectional research design: generalizability from LGB to
other sexual minorities, causality problem
• Self-report bias:exaggerated answers and social desirability bias
• Further study: stigma mechanism with five different components of stigma
resistance; SR’s impact on anticipated stigma and perceived stigma.
≠
SR
ClinicalSettings Workplace
 Tailor-made
interventions
 Personalized plan
of resisting stigmas
 Advocacy in health
care industry
 Diversity and
Inclusion (D&I)
initiatives (trainings,
policy etc.)
 I/O Psychology -
workforce well-being
SILENCE = DEATH
Stigma Resistance and Mental Health among
Sexual Minorities in Hong Kong: A Moderated
Mediation Model
Student: Muyi NIE, George Supervisor: Dr. Kevin K.S. CHAN