Date of Award
6-25-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Psychology: Clinical-Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Seujung Han
Abstract
This study examined QPOC experiences of discrimination and emotional distress and buffering roles of proximal social support and distal social support. Specifically, we hypothesized (a) QPOC would experience more discrimination and higher distress than straight people of color (SPOC) due to their double minoritized status; (b) QPOC would have similar proximal but (b-2) lower distal support compared to SPOC; and (c) social support would moderate the relationship between discrimination and distress among QPOC, such that this link will be weakened when social support is higher. 206 participants of color (156 straight, 50 queer) completed the online survey of this study. Independent sample t-tests revealed that QPOC reported significantly higher discrimination, t = -3.14, p = .002, and distress, t = -5.12, p<.001, and lower distal social support, t = -2.88, p = .004 than straight people of color supporting hypotheses (a) and (b-2). A moderated regression analysis using PROCESS MACRO v3.5 (Hayes, 2018) with perceived microaggression as IV, distress as DV, and proximal and distal support as moderators did not reveal significant interaction effects between discrimination and proximal support, β = .02, p = .93, or distal support, β = .5, p = .85. Results of the study support the hypothesis of queer people of color having higher discrimination, higher distress, and lower social support than heterosexual counterparts. No support was found on social support playing a buffering role in the relationship between discrimination and distress. More research needs to be conducted to find factors in queer people of colors’ lives that help reduce distress.
Recommended Citation
Satishkumar, Sanjana, "Perceived Discrimination and Emotional Distress Experienced by Queer vs Heterosexual People of Color, Moderated by Perceived Distal or Proximal Social Support" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 1466.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1466
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2021.20211012065805983240.999959
Page Count
69
Comments
Imported from Satishkumar_ilstu_0092N_11980.pdf