Internalized stigma among sexual minority adults: Insights from a social psychological perspective

Herek, Gregory M.; Gillis, J. Roy; Cogan, Jeanine C.

doi:10.1037/2376-6972.1.s.18

Cited by 110LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyHIV/AIDS Research and InterventionsGender and Feminist Studies

Internalized stigma among sexual minority adults: Insights from a social psychological perspective

Herek, Gregory M., Gillis, J. Roy, Cogan, Jeanine C.·2015·Stigma and Health

DOI 10.1037/2376-6972.1.s.18

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Abstract

This article describes a social psychological framework for understanding sexual stigma, and it reports data on sexual minority individuals' stigma-related experiences. The framework distinguishes between stigma's manifestations in society's institutions (heterosexism) and among individuals. The latter include enacted sexual stigma (overt negative actions against sexual minorities, such as hate crimes), felt sexual stigma (expectations about the circumstances in which sexual stigma will be enacted), and internalized sexual stigma (personal acceptance of sexual stigma as part of one's value system and self-concept). Drawing from previous research on internalized sexual stigma among heterosexuals (i.e., sexual prejudice), the article considers possible parallels in how sexual minorities experience internalized sexual stigma (i.e., self-stigma, or negative attitudes toward the self). Data are presented from a community sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults (N = 2,259) to illustrate the model's utility for generating and testing hypotheses concerning self-stigma.

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Research shows that internalized oppression significantly contributes to depression in LGBTQ people.
“BOWS primarily focuses on internalized oppression as the intervention target, which research shows significantly contributes to depression in LGBTQ people [25,27,41,42].”
From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [25]
Some LGBTQ young people have internalized negative sociocultural views about themselves, such as viewing their identities as abnormal, immoral, or pathological.
“Finally, some LGBTQ young people have internalized negative sociocultural views about themselves, such as viewing their identities as abnormal, immoral, or pathological.”
From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [25]
A significant body of evidence has linked LGBTQ-specific internalized oppression and the outcome of depression, making it an appropriate target for intervention.
“A significant body of evidence has linked LGBTQ-specific internalized oppression and the outcome of depression [25,27,41,42], making it an appropriate target for intervention.”
From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [25]

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Authors: Herek, G. M., Gillis, J. R., & Cogan, J. C.
ORCID: Gillis, J. Roy
Venue: Stigma and Health
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2015-08
Volume: 1
Issue: S
Pages: 18-34
ISSN: 2376-6964 (ISSN-L)
2376-6972
DOI: 10.1037/2376-6972.1.s.18
OpenAlex: W2912182142
Cited by: 110
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 7 · 2014: 1
FWCI: 15.82
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Stigma and Health (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (MH50185)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
Keywords: self-stigma, sexual minority adults, sexual stigma, heterosexism, sexual prejudice, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults

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Internalized stigma among sexual minority adults: Insights from a social psychological perspective

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