Mental health, minority stress, and the Australian Marriage Law postal survey: A longitudinal study.

Casey, LJ; Wootton, BM; McAloon, J

Mental health, minority stress, and the Australian Marriage Law postal survey: A longitudinal study.

Casey, LJ Wootton, BM McAloon, J

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Publisher:: AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: The American journal of orthopsychiatry, 2020, 90, (5), pp. 546-556
Issue Date:: 2020-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Casey, LJ
dc.contributor.author	Wootton, BM
dc.contributor.author	McAloon, J
dc.date.accessioned	2021-04-09T04:25:48Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-09T04:25:48Z
dc.date.issued	2020-01
dc.identifier.citation	The American journal of orthopsychiatry, 2020, 90, (5), pp. 546-556
dc.identifier.issn	0002-9432
dc.identifier.issn	1939-0025
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147948
dc.description.abstract	Research indicates that marriage equality legislation is associated with improved mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. However, the public debate that often precedes such legislation may exacerbate psychological distress and minority stress. In 2017, the Australian Federal Government conducted a national survey to gauge support for marriage equality. The present study investigated the mental health of a sample of LGBTQ people during and after this survey period. A sample of 2,220 LGBTQ participants completed measures of psychological distress and minority stress during the survey period. Participants were invited for follow-up 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after the postal survey results were announced. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models to evaluate change in psychological distress and minority stress across time points, and the influence of exposure to the marriage equality debate, sexual identity, and gender identity on psychological distress and minority stress. Reported symptoms of psychological distress and minority stress significantly decreased following the postal survey period. Greater exposure to the marriage equality campaign was associated with greater psychological distress and perceived stigma but not internalized stigma. Sexual and gender identity subgroups significantly differed on outcome variable means. This study documents the longitudinal effects on a minority group of a public vote and the enactment of legislation regarding their human rights. The results suggest the postal survey served as a significant stressor to Australia's LGBTQ community. Implications for policy and clinical practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
dc.relation.ispartof	The American journal of orthopsychiatry
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1037/ort0000455
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Developmental & Child Psychology
dc.title	Mental health, minority stress, and the Australian Marriage Law postal survey: A longitudinal study.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	90
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Clinical Psychology
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-04-09T04:25:47Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	90
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

Research indicates that marriage equality legislation is associated with improved mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. However, the public debate that often precedes such legislation may exacerbate psychological distress and minority stress. In 2017, the Australian Federal Government conducted a national survey to gauge support for marriage equality. The present study investigated the mental health of a sample of LGBTQ people during and after this survey period. A sample of 2,220 LGBTQ participants completed measures of psychological distress and minority stress during the survey period. Participants were invited for follow-up 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after the postal survey results were announced. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models to evaluate change in psychological distress and minority stress across time points, and the influence of exposure to the marriage equality debate, sexual identity, and gender identity on psychological distress and minority stress. Reported symptoms of psychological distress and minority stress significantly decreased following the postal survey period. Greater exposure to the marriage equality campaign was associated with greater psychological distress and perceived stigma but not internalized stigma. Sexual and gender identity subgroups significantly differed on outcome variable means. This study documents the longitudinal effects on a minority group of a public vote and the enactment of legislation regarding their human rights. The results suggest the postal survey served as a significant stressor to Australia's LGBTQ community. Implications for policy and clinical practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/147948