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Relations Between Optimism-Pessimism and Loneliness in Sexually Minoritized Men: The Moderating Role of
Emily Jayne Ross1, Daniel Jimenez2, Delaram Ghanooni3
1Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
Journal of Homosexuality
|December 13, 2024
Summary
Optimism may protect sexually minoritized men (SMM) from loneliness, even amid discrimination. Pessimism, however, correlates with increased loneliness and discrimination exposure in SMM.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Loneliness is a widespread issue, significantly impacting sexual minority men (SMM).
- Individual differences in optimism and pessimism may influence how discrimination affects loneliness.
- Understanding these psychological factors is crucial for addressing loneliness in SMM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between optimism/pessimism, discrimination, and loneliness in SMM.
- To examine how the frequency of discrimination exposure moderates these associations.
- To identify potential protective factors against loneliness in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized self-report data from 103 SMM in South Florida over six months.
- Employed a novel chronicity-based coding approach for discrimination frequency.
- Conducted hierarchical multivariable regression analyses to assess associations and moderation.
Main Results:
- Higher pessimism and lower optimism were linked to greater loneliness and discrimination.
- Chronicity-based discrimination negatively correlated with optimism and positively with pessimism.
- Optimism, not pessimism, moderated the association between discrimination and loneliness; optimism showed a protective effect against loneliness with moderate discrimination exposure.
Conclusions:
- Optimism can serve as a protective factor against loneliness for SMM experiencing moderate discrimination.
- Pessimism is associated with higher levels of loneliness and discrimination in SMM.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended to explore the dynamic interplay of optimism, pessimism, discrimination, and loneliness in SMM.
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