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Internalized Homonegativity is Indirectly Associated with Smoking Status through Somatic Anxiety.
Ty A Robinson1, Nathan Grant Smith2, Ezemenari M Obasi3
1University of Maryland, Department of Psychology, College Park, MD, United States.
Health Behavior and Policy Review
|November 15, 2024
Summary
Internalized homonegativity (IH) is linked to increased somatic anxiety and continued smoking among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Reducing IH may help in smoking cessation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Internalized homonegativity (IH) is a maladaptive response to minority stress in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals.
- Somatic anxiety symptoms and smoking behaviors are significant public health concerns within the LGB community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between internalized homonegativity (IH) and somatic anxiety symptoms.
- To examine how IH and somatic anxiety influence smoking status (current vs. former smokers) in LGB individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 77 participants who smoked ≥100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
- Assessed internalized homonegativity (IH) using the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale.
- Measured somatic anxiety using the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety.
Main Results:
- Current smokers reported higher levels of IH compared to former smokers.
- Internalized homonegativity (IH) was positively correlated with somatic anxiety symptoms.
- Somatic anxiety mediated the relationship between IH and smoking status.
Conclusions:
- Internalized homonegativity (IH) may be a risk factor for psychological distress and continued smoking in LGB individuals.
- Findings suggest potential targets for interventions aimed at smoking cessation and mental health support for LGB populations.
- Further research, including longitudinal and experimental designs, is recommended to establish causality.
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