Orgulho Gay : teorização, testagem e implicações para a saúde mental

Abstract

Social psychology has made considerable efforts to understand how and under what conditions social victimization processes can negatively affect the quality-of-life indicators of oppressed individuals. There is extensive literature in this area of research describing the far-reaching consequences of social discrimination on the mental health of gay men. Overall, the studies show that marked experiences of social discrimination based on sexual orientation are associated with poorer mental health, particularly for those with low identification with their group. However, most studies focus on analyzing explicit forms of discrimination where victims are aware of the discriminatory intent of the perpetrator. Therefore, it remains unclear how less explicit forms of discrimination (e.g., microaggressions) may affect the positive dimensions (e.g., positive emotions and life satisfaction) and the negative dimensions (e.g., selfhate and suicidal ideation) of gay men's psychological well-being. Because striving for a positive social identity is a critical component of self-concept, how affirmation of sexual minority identity (e.g., gay pride) might influence the relationship between microaggressions and dimensions of psychological well-being has not been extensively examined. Given this gap, we hypothesize that gay pride, understood here as a sociopolitical strategy to affirm the identity of gay men, may mitigate the negative effects of microaggressions on the mental health of these individuals. In the context of this thesis, we hypothesize that gay pride can be conceptualized and measured (1) and can serve as a buffer for the effects of microaggressions on positive and negative dimensions of psychological well-being (2) and can be conceptualized as a sociopolitical strategy to change the social value of the gay group (3). To test these propositions, we draw on social identity theory and minority stress theory, based on which we developed a research program with three empirical articles. The first article (N = 815) comprises six studies (five correlational studies and one experimental study) in which we present the process of developing and validating the Gay Pride Scale and address the first hypothesis. The second article (N = 471), consisting of three studies, examines the moderating role of gay pride in the relationship between homonegative microaggressions and psychological well-being (Study 1) and the mediating role of self-hate in the relationship between homonegative microaggressions and levels of suicidal ideation in gay men, using both cross-sectional (Study 2) and longitudinal studies (Study 3). Finally, the third article (N = 132) shows the conditions under which gay pride can function as a competitive strategy for changing the social value of the gay group. In summary, through this program of study, we demonstrated that embracing and promoting gay pride can be an effective way of improving the social value and well-being of gay individuals within society. In doing so, we have helped to further develop the theoretical perspectives underpinning this thesis while outlining practical implications for the application of the models examined. Based on the findings presented here, we suggest new pathways for the development of psychosocial intervention strategies that focus on both maintaining social identity and improving the mental health of gay men.