The roles of gender role conflict and internalized heterosexism in gay and bisexual men's psychological distress: Testing two mediation models.

Authors:
  • DSDawn M. Szymanski
    Dawn M. Szymanski
  • ECErika R. Carr
    Erika R. Carr
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Abstract
Many gay and bisexual men struggle with unique issues related to being both a man and a sexual minority person. The purpose of this study was to use feminist theory to test two mediation models examining the roles of both gender role conflict and internalized heterosexism (IH) in gay and bisexual men's psychological distress. Findings from the best fitting model revealed that gender role conflict was both directly and indirectly (through IH) related to self-esteem, and self-esteem was directly and indirectly (through avoidant coping) related to psychological distress. Research and practice implications are discussed.