(PS1-B50) Daily Heterosexist Experiences and Mental Health in LGBTQ+ Adults from Spain

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and queer adults (LGBTQ+) face discrimination related to their social identities and statuses, which extends beyond the general stress experienced by cisgender heterosexual individuals (Brooks, 1981; Meyer, 2003; Rich et al., 2020). A growing body of research on LGBTQ+ individuals suggests that minority stressors may explain the disparities in the mental and physical health of LGBTQ+ individuals (Balsam et al., 2013). Examining minority stressors is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between minority stress experiences and related mental health challenges. The present study aimed to explore daily heterosexist experiences and their impact on symptoms of depression and suicide behavior among a sample of LGBTQ+ adults from Spain. Participant were 509 LGBTQ+ identifying adults in the age range of 18 to 60 years old (M = 29.70, SD = 9.03). Nearly, 86.2% (n = 436) identified themselves as Caucasian/White, 7.5% (n = 48) as Latinx, and 6.4% as multiracial (n = 32). Most of the participants identified as cisgender (women: 33.3%, n = 166; men: 43.0 %, n = 214) and to a lesser extent as transgender (woman: 2.6%, n = 13; man: 8.4%, n = 42; and non-binary/gender fluid: 12.6%, n = 63). Participants identified their sexual orientation as lesbian (12.4 %, n = 63), gay (39.6 %, n = 188), bisexual (39.5 %, n = 201), heterosexual (3.9 %, n = 20), and pansexual/asexual (7.4 %, n = 37). Findings of a hierarchical regression  indicated that identifying as a transgender individual (β = .534, p < .001), having a minority sexual orientation (bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or identity other than gay or lesbian, β = .864, p < .001), higher scores on heterosexism related to their gender expression (β = .064, p < .01), and rejection from the family of origin (β = .044, p < .01) were significantly and positively associated suicide behavior. Additionally, identifying as a transgender individual (β = .686, p < .001), having a minority sexual orientation (bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or identity other than gay or lesbian, β = .442, p < .001), higher scores on heterosexism related to their gender expression (β = .058, p < .01), and vigilance (β = .037, P < .001) were significantly and positively associated depression scores. Findings indicated that transgender individuals and individuals that identify as a minority sexual orientation (bisexual, pansexual, asexual) were at an increased risk of depression and suicide behavior. Moreover, experiencing distal stressors (i.e., gender expression, vigilance, and rejection from the family of origin) proved to be a risk factor for symptoms of depression and suicide behavior. Clinicians should assess for minority stressors when working with LGBTQ+ treatment seeking adults. In the intervention phase, it is important to engage in affirmative practices that are consistent with evidence-based treatments (see Effective Skills to Empower Effective Men [ESTEEM]; Pachankis et al., 2015). These practices are already a part of the evidence-based treatments; for instance, clinicians can let the client take the lead in defining their own values and beliefs in their words; clinicians can help clients navigate their way for social connections in stigma-laden locales (Pachankis, 2018; Pantalone et al., 2017).