Latinx Sexual Minority Men, Psychological Well-Being, Racial Sociopolitical Involvement, and Discomfort in LGBT Community
Authors: Le, Thomas P.; Teran, Manuel; Wang, Min Qi
Source: Journal of Latinx Psychology, DOI: 10.1037/lat0000242, July 2023
Type of Publication: Article
Abstract: Latinx sexual minority men (Latinx SMM) experience multiple forms of oppression given their unique intersecting identities. Framed by intersectionality and minority stress theories, the present study investigated the association between discomfort due to one’s race or ethnicity within the LGBTQ + community and psychological well-being within a national sample of 473 Latinx SMM, using the Social Justice Sexuality Project data set. The study also examined racial sociopolitical involvement and racial/ethnic identity importance as moderators. Regression analyses showed that greater discomfort within the LGBTQ + community was associated with reduced psychological well-being. This association remained significant for Latinx SMM who engaged in moderate or low levels of racial sociopolitical involvement, though not for those who engaged in high levels. Racial/ethnic identity importance did not moderate this association. Our study highlights the importance of investigating how LGBTQ + Latinx SMM feel within the context of the overarching LGBTQ + community, as well as encouraging racial sociopolitical involvement.