Speaker
Description
Background/Objectives: Identity-based bullying experiences (IBBE) during childhood can have lasting impacts on adult well-being. Research asserts adverse bullying outcomes are more prevalent among minoritized populations, including LGBTQ individuals. Social support theory suggests supportive relationships can buffer against adverse childhood experiences. Yet, limited research has examined whether social support may buffer the effects of distinct types of IBBE during childhood on social well-being (SWB) among LGBT adults. This study examined if social support moderates the relationship between gender expression, sexuality, physical appearance, sexual orientation, and race identity-based bullying and SWB.
Methods: Data from the combined Generations and Transpop survey(N=1,629 adults aged 18-60;(M=36) were analyzed using bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression (MLR). Measures included retrospective reports of IBBE, current SWB(a=0.79), and perceived social support(a=0.73). Interaction terms tested the moderating effects of social support. Age, education, marital status, and income were entered into the models as covariates.
Results: Physical appearance(r =-.11,p< .0001), race(r=-.08,p=.0011), gender expression (r=-.08,p=.0017), and sex-based(r=-.07,p=.0056) bullying were negatively correlated with adult SWB. MLR results concluded only sex orientation-based bullying was associated with SWB (β =.011,p=.0197), and social support demonstrated a significant main effect with SWB (β=0.22, p<.0001) but did not significantly moderate the relationship between IBBE and SWB. Age(β=-0.006,p<.001, education level(β=0.26,p< .0001), and poverty status(β=-0.29,p<.0001) were significant covariates.
Conclusion: While social support benefits SWB, it may not fully buffer against the impacts of IBBE. These findings highlight the need for preventive interventions targeting identity-based bullying and supportive services for LGBTQ individuals. Implications for research, practice, and programming are discussed.
Keywords
Identity-based bullying; Social well-being; Social support; LGBT adults; Minority stress
| Please indicate what type of scientific contribution it is | Quantitative method study |
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| Please also indicate what kind of contribution it is: | Scientific |
