Relationship between self-esteem, emotional support, and general health perceptions in LGBT populations

Psychosocial environments can influence the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals (Meyer 2003). As sexual minorities, LGBT individuals may be rejected and stigmatized by the non-LGBT community, which may threaten their self esteem (SE) and cause emotional distress (Herek & Gillis, 2009; Radkowsky & Siegel, 1997). However, emotional support (ES) can reduce negative emotions and prevent maladaptive behavioral responses (Cohen & Pressman, 2004). SE can be improved through the social-emotional resources provided by LGBT communities. These psychosocial factors can have significant effects on general health perceptions (GHP) in LGBT individuals (Ice, Zidron, & Juma, 2008). We hypothesized that greater SE in LGBT individuals, more active seeking of ES, and greater satisfaction with ES would be associated with better GHP. We conducted a cross-sectional correlational study based on data from participants recruited from LGBT community organizations in a southern metropolitan area (n=185, 27% gay, 27% lesbian, 28% bisexual,18% transgender, 34% ethnic-minorities). Participants completed the seeking emotional support (α=.76) and the satisfaction with emotional support received (α=.93) subscales of the UCLA Social Support Inventory, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (α=.92), and the general health perceptions subscale of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey. A hierarchical linear regression analysis found less seeking of ES, (β=-.17,t=-2.43,p=.016) greater satisfaction with ES received (β=.23,t=2.95,p=.004) and higher SE (β=.41,t=5.65,p<.001) explained 26% of the variance in GHP (adjusted R2=.26,F(3, 181)=22.8,p<.001.) Analyzed by subgroups, only the GHP of gay males was associated with all variables of interest. SE and ES are important factors affecting public health in LGBT communities.