Date of Award

12-16-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling and Psychological Services

First Advisor

Franco Dispenza

Second Advisor

Brian Dew

Third Advisor

Jeff Ashby

Fourth Advisor

Tamara Turner

Abstract

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, with “+” (LGBTQ+) signifying expanding and new sexual and gender identities. Among samples of SGM, numerous studies have found that some are vulnerable to the effects of discrimination and will experience minority stress (Meyer, 2003; Hatzenbuehler & Pachankis, 2016; Gonzalez et al., 2018) and psychological distress (Chan et al., 2020; Correro & Neilson, 2020). There is substantial research related to the negative effects of societal oppression for SGM folx, but there are few culturally informed interventions for this population (Israel et al., 2019; Parent, 2019; Israel et al., 2021). The current study was a pilot investigation of an online intervention that utilized Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) and psychoeducation to increase psychological well-being and reduce SGM-based stress. LKM has shown efficacy in reducing psychological distress among other populations (Fredrickson et al., 2017; Weibel et al., 2017). SGM study participants were recruited in person at pride events and other social venues. The study was advertised in social media, newspapers, and listservs. Approximately six hundred screeners were attempted, and 140 participants were deemed legitimate and interviewed. Eighty-nine consented to participation and twenty-six completed the study. The study required two weeks of meditation instruction and related psychoeducational activities followed by two weeks of independent meditation practice. The study modules consisted of information about meditation practices and psychoeducation related to SGM minority stress that has been used routinely in counseling practice. Participants accessed the study using a secure online learning management system. Measures related to minority stress, unconditional acceptance, positive self-regard, social belonging, and psychological distress were taken pre, post, and follow-up. Participants, all of whom were inexperienced meditators, were matched to either the LKM or the comparable active control.

Results: MANOVA analysis found significant changes over time occurred on unconditional acceptance and positive self-regard, with the LKM group reporting the largest mean changes. A two-way mixed ANOVA detected a significant decrease in depression over time with the LKM group reporting the largest mean change. No significant changes over time occurred on the combined variables of social belonging. A two-way mixed ANOVA detected different treatment effects for sexual minority stress with the comparison group reporting less sexual minority stress over time. Analysis indicates that a future study is acceptable and feasible, but modifications to the protocol are recommended prior to conducting a larger randomized controlled trial.

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