Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Robertson, Mary

Committee Member

Elmore-Staton, Lori

Committee Member

Peterson, Donna

Committee Member

Walsh, Melanie

Date of Degree

5-15-2026

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Major

Human Development & Family Science

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

School of Human Sciences

Abstract

LGBT individuals experience disproportionate levels of psychological distress compared to heterosexual populations, often attributed to minority stressors, including experiences of discrimination and victimization. Guided by the Minority Stress Model, the present study examined whether social and community support moderated the relationship between minority stress and psychological distress, and whether rejection sensitivity and fear of discrimination mediated these associations. Data were collected from a sample of 251 individuals who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in the United States. Multiple regression, moderation, and mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro were conducted to examine relationships among experiences of discrimination, sexuality-based victimization, rejection sensitivity, social support, community support, and psychological distress. Results indicated that experiences of discrimination and sexuality-based victimization were positively associated with psychological distress. Moderation analyses showed that social and community support functioned as protective factors in some contexts. Mediation analyses indicated that rejection sensitivity did not explain the relationship between minority stress experiences and psychological distress. These findings highlight the importance of social and community resources in buffering the psychological impact of minority stress. Implications for mental health practice and community-based interventions aimed at supporting LGBT populations are discussed.

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