Internalized Homonegativity, Emotion Dysregulation, and Isolating Behaviors Perpetration among Gay and Lesbian Couples

Trombetta T., Rollè L.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minority people has been underestimated since few decades ago despite its spreading. The current systematic review aims to review and systematize studies on factors associated with IPV perpetration within this population. Data search was conducted on EBSCO and PubMed considering articles published until July 2022, and 78 papers were included. Although methodological limitations can affect the results found, the data demonstrated an association between IPV perpetration and psychological, relational, family of origin-related and sexual minority-specific factors, substance use, and sexual behaviors. The findings emerged highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach to tackle IPV perpetration among sexual minority people and limit relapses, while increasing individual and relational wellbeing. The empirical evidence emerged can contribute to the development of policies and services tailored for sexual minority people victims of IPV, to date still scarce and often ineffective.

Mann A.M., Naugle A.E., Lieberman E.

Gender and sexual minorities are at increased risk for psychological disorders compared to the general population. The minority stress model has been proposed to explain these elevated rates of psychological distress. Per this model, minority stress factors (e.g., prejudice, discrimination, rejection, internalized homophobia/ transphobia) combine to create a unique stress which negatively impacts the mental health of gender and sexual minority individuals. With support for the general minority stress model established, attention has turned to investigating possible mediators in this model. In other words, how does minority stress cause psychological distress and negative mental health outcomes? The aim of the present study was to investigate experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation as potential mediators in the relationship between minority stress factors and psychological distress. Final parallel mediation models supported that experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation were significant mediators in the relationship between minority stress variables and psychological distress. These final models support that minority stress experiences, experiential avoidance, and emotion dysregulation are all factors that contribute to psychological distress in gender and sexual minority individuals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Berke D.S., Moody R.L., Grov C., Rendina H.J.

Although sexual minority men experience elevated rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and equal or greater rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization compared to heterosexual individuals, little research has examined mechanisms linking these forms of victimization in this high-need population. We examined general (i.e., emotion regulation difficulties) and sexual minority specific (i.e., internalized homophobia) mediational pathways between CSA and IPV victimization in a longitudinal sample of 940 sexual minority men. Path analyses revealed significant associations between CSA and internalized homophobia, between internalized homophobia and emotion regulation difficulties, and between emotion regulation difficulties and IPV victimization. No indirect effects of CSA on IPV via general or minority specific pathways were observed. Findings suggest that minority stress specific (i.e., internalized homophobia) and general psychological risk factors (i.e., emotion regulation difficulties) co-occur and may function along independent pathways to link CSA to IPV revictimization. Future work is needed to investigate how mitigation of these modifiable pathways may be targeted to inform violence prevention interventions for sexual minority men.

Tognasso G., Trombetta T., Gorla L., Ramon S., Santona A., Rollè L.

Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) among lesbian women has been underestimated until few decades ago. While the association between romantic attachment and SSIPV has been widely demonstrated, mechanisms that mediate this association and the complex relationships between romantic attachment, SSIPV, and SSIPV-specific risk factors have not been adequately investigated to date. The current study assessed the influence of romantic attachment on SSIPV perpetration among lesbian women, exploring the mediating role of internalized homonegativity within this association. Three hundred and twenty-five Italian lesbian women with a mean age of 30 years were recruited and completed the following self-report measures: the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale Short Form. The results showed a positive association between attachment anxiety, and general and psychological SSIPV perpetration. Similarly, attachment avoidance was positively related with general, psychological, and physical SSIPV perpetration. The association between romantic attachment, and general and psychological SSIPV was partially mediated by internalized homonegativity. These findings have theoretical implications and provide valuable information to implement services and interventions tailored for SSIPV, to date scarce and not effective.

Martin T.E., Gover A.R., Langton L.

Domestic violence, broadly defined, includes violence among children, parents, siblings, intimate partners, and other relatives. Help-seeking behaviors for domestic violence, especially among sexual minority (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and others who are not heterosexual) victims, is not well understood. Using the National Crime Victimization Survey, the current study fills a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between sexual orientation and four types of formal help-seeking among victims of violence perpetrated by a relative or an intimate partner: reporting to the police, seeking psychological care, contacting a victim services agency, and seeking medical assistance. This study additionally examined whether individual and incident level variables are related to formal domestic violence help-seeking among sexual minority victims. Results indicate that sexual orientation was significantly related to seeking psychological care and help from a victim services agency, and the relationship between individual and incident level characteristics varies by type of help-seeking among victims of domestic violence. These results suggest that sexual minority victims’ decisions to access services is likely influenced by the availability of services and victims’ perceptions of how they would be treated within the various systems. Future research should continue to examine the help-seeking process among sexual minority victims of domestic violence in order to develop appropriate policy responses and provide services needed by this population.

Nicholson A.A., Siegel M., Wolf J., Narikuzhy S., Roth S.L., Hatchard T., Lanius R.A., Schneider M., Lloyd C.S., McKinnon M.C., Heber A., Smith P., Lueger-Schuster B.

Systemic oppression, particularly towards sexual minorities, continues to be deeply rooted in the bedrock of many societies globally. Experiences with minority stressors (e.g. discrimination, hate-crimes, internalized homonegativity, rejection sensitivity, and microaggressions or everyday indignities) have been consistently linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Elucidating the neural adaptations associated with minority stress exposure will be critical for furthering our understanding of how sexual minorities become disproportionately affected by mental health burdens.Following PRISMA-guidelines, we systematically reviewed published neuroimaging studies that compared neural dynamics among sexual minority and heterosexual populations, aggregating information pertaining to any measurement of minority stress and relevant clinical phenomena.Only 1 of 13 studies eligible for inclusion examined minority stress directly, where all other studies focused on investigating the neurobiological basis of sexual orientation. In our narrative synthesis, we highlight important themes that suggest minority stress exposure may be associated with decreased activation and functional connectivity within the default-mode network (related to the sense-of-self and social cognition), and summarize preliminary evidence related to aberrant neural dynamics within the salience network (involved in threat detection and fear processing) and the central executive network (involved in executive functioning and emotion regulation). Importantly, this parallels neural adaptations commonly observed among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of trauma and supports the inclusion of insidious forms of trauma related to minority stress within models of PTSD.Taken together, minority stress may have several shared neuropsychological pathways with PTSD and stress-related disorders. Here, we outline a detailed research agenda that provides an overview of literature linking sexual minority stress to PTSD and insidious trauma, moral affect (including shame and guilt), and mental health risk/resiliency, in addition to racial, ethnic, and gender related minority stress. Finally, we propose a novel minority mosaic framework designed to inform future directions of minority stress neuroimaging research from an intersectional lens.Antecedentes: La opresión sistémica, en particular hacia las minorías sexuales, sigue estando profundamente arraigada en los cimientos de muchas sociedades a nivel mundial. Las experiencias con los factores de estrés de las minorías (por ejemplo, la discriminación, los delitos de odio, la homonegatividad interiorizada, la sensibilidad al rechazo y las microagresiones o humillaciones cotidianas) se han relacionado sistemáticamente con resultados adversos para la salud mental. La elucidación de las adaptaciones neuronales asociadas con la exposición al estrés de las minorías será fundamental para avanzar en nuestra comprensión de cómo las minorías sexuales se ven afectadas de manera desproporcionada por las cargas de salud mental.Métodos: Siguiendo las directrices PRISMA, revisamos sistemáticamente los estudios de neuroimagen publicados que comparaban la dinámica neural entre las poblaciones de minorías sexuales y heterosexuales, agregando la información relativa a cualquier medición del estrés de minorías y los fenómenos clínicos relevantes.Resultados: Sólo 1 de los 13 estudios elegibles para su inclusión examinó directamente el estrés de las minorías, mientras que todos los demás estudios se centraron en investigar las bases neurobiológicas de la orientación sexual. En nuestra síntesis narrativa, destacamos temas importantes que sugieren que la exposición al estrés de las minorías puede estar asociada con la disminución de la activación y la conectividad funcional dentro de la red del modo por defecto (relacionada con el sentido del yo y la cognición social), y resumimos la evidencia preliminar relacionada con la dinámica neuronal aberrante dentro de la red de saliencia (involucrada en la detección de amenazas y el procesamiento del miedo) y la red ejecutiva central (involucrada en el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la regulación de las emociones). Es importante destacar que esto es paralelo a las adaptaciones neuronales comúnmente observadas entre los individuos con trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) después del trauma y apoya la inclusión de formas insidiosas de trauma relacionadas con el estrés de las minorías dentro de los modelos de TEPT.Conclusiones: En conjunto, el estrés de las minorías puede tener varias vías neuropsicológicas compartidas con el TEPT y los trastornos relacionados con el estrés. Aquí, esbozamos una agenda de investigación detallada que proporciona una visión general de la literatura que vincula el estrés de las minorías sexuales con el TEPT y el trauma insidioso, el afecto moral (incluyendo la vergüenza y la culpa), y el riesgo/resiliencia de la salud mental, además del estrés de las minorías relacionadas con la raza, la etnia y el género. Por último, proponemos un marco de mosaico de minorías novedoso diseñado para informar sobre las futuras direcciones de la investigación de neuroimagen del estrés de las minorías desde una perspectiva interseccional.背景: 系统性压迫, 尤其是对性少数群体的压迫, 持续深深植根于全球许多社会的基石。少数群体应激源 (例如歧视, 犯罪仇恨, 内化性恐同, 排斥敏感性以及微攻击或日常侮辱) 的经历一直与不良的心理健康结果有关。阐明与少数群体应激暴露相关的神经适应对于进一步了解性少数群体如何不成比例地受到心理健康负担影响至关重要。方法: 按照 PRISMA 指南, 我们系统综述了比较了性少数和异性恋群体的神经动力学, 汇总了与少数群体应激和相关临床现象的一切测量相关信息的已发表神经影像学研究。结果: 符合纳入条件的 13 项研究中只有 1 项直接考查了少数群体应激, 而所有其他研究都侧重于考查性取向的神经生物学基础。在我们的叙述性综合中, 我们强调了一些重要主题, 表明少数应激暴露可能与默认模式网络 (与自我意识和社会认知相关) 内激活和功能连接减少有关, 并总结了突显网络 (参与威胁检测和恐惧处理) 和中央执行网络 (参与执行功能和情绪调节) 中神经动力学异常的相关初步证据。重要的是, 这与通常在创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 个体中观察到的神经适应相似, 并支持在 PTSD 模型中纳入少数应激相关的潜在形式创伤。结论: 总体来说, 少数群体的应激可能与 PTSD 和应激相关疾病有几个共同的神经心理通路。在这里, 我们概述了一个将性少数应激与 PTSD 和潜在创伤, 道德影响 (包括羞耻和内疚) 和心理健康风险/韧性, 以及种族, 民族和少数派应激相关性别联系起来的详细研究计划。最后, 我们提出了一种新颖的旨在从交叉镜头中启发少数群体应激神经影像研究未来方向的少数群体马赛克框架。.

Audet A., Brassard A., Dugal C., Claing A., Daspe M., Savard C., Lafontaine M., Péloquin K., Godbout N.

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, and anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psychological abuse, and coercive control) through affect dysregulation (AD) in men seeking help. Online questionnaires assessing psychological distress symptoms, AD, and violent behaviors were completed by 335 adult men entering treatment for IPV. A path analysis model revealed the indirect associations between psychological distress symptoms and higher IPV perpetration through higher AD. Symptoms of anger were indirectly related to the three forms of perpetrated IPV through higher AD. Symptoms of depression were, directly and indirectly, related to the three forms of perpetrated IPV through higher AD. Finally, symptoms of anxiety were directly related to lower physical assault perpetration, and indirectly related to higher physical assault and coercive control perpetration through higher AD. The final model explained 10% of the variance in perpetrated physical assault, 23% of the variance in perpetrated psychological abuse, and 13% of the variance in perpetrated coercive control. These results underline the necessity of assessing and addressing symptoms of psychological distress and AD among men perpetrators in the treatment of IPV.

Yakeley J.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognized as a worldwide health issue that calls for urgent interventions to prevent the significant physical and mental harm it poses to the individuals involved and to reduce its wider deleterious impacts on society. Despite 40 years of research in the field, incidence rates of IPV have not significantly declined and treatment services for perpetrators of IPV are scarce. Empirical research has been hindered by ideological disputes, and the most commonly used treatment approaches-the feminist-oriented Duluth approach and cognitive-behavioral treatments-lack evidence for their efficacy. This introduction to this issue of In Session reviews these ideological controversies and the current state of empirical evidence for the treatment of perpetrators of IPV; and summarizes the five papers, commissioned from different countries in Europe, North America, and Africa, comprising this issue, each of which presents a novel therapeutic intervention for this heterogeneous population.

Barnett A.P., Houck C.D., Barker D., Rizzo C.J.

Sexual minority adolescent girls are overrepresented in the justice system. This study used the minority stress model and psychological mediation framework to investigate a pathway for this disparity among court-involved girls ages 14–18 (N = 226; mean age: 15.58; 48% sexual minority). The hypotheses were that sexual minority status would be associated with delinquency, bullying exposure would be associated with delinquency indirectly via emotion regulation difficulties, and the relationship between bullying exposure and emotion regulation difficulties would be stronger for sexual minority girls. Bullying exposure and emotion regulation difficulties were not related. Sexual minority status was related to delinquency, and emotion regulation difficulties mediated this relationship. The findings suggest interventions to build emotion regulation skills may reduce delinquency for sexual minority girls.

Weiss N.H., Hogan J., Brem M., Massa A.A., Kirby C.M., Flanagan J.C.

An extensive body of literature has linked emotion regulation to alcohol and drug use problems, including among populations characterized by intimate partner violence (IPV). Advancing this research, the goal of the current study was to examine cognitive emotion regulation strategies and alcohol and drug use problems within a dyadic framework. Specifically, we examined actor and partner effects of maladaptive and adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies on alcohol and drug use problems.Eighty-four romantic couples (N = 168 total participants) participating in a randomized controlled trial who reported physical IPV and an alcohol use disorder completed self-reported measures of cognitive emotion regulation as well as alcohol and drug use problems.Regarding actor effects, men's greater use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies was positively related to their alcohol use problems (p < .001), whereas both women's (p = .02) and men's (p = .047) greater use of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies was negatively related to their own alcohol use problems. In terms of partner effects, men's greater use of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (p = .001) and less use of adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (p = .017) was related to their partners' greater drug use problems.Findings replicate and extend existing work in this area, showing that men's and women's emotion regulation strategies are related to their own alcohol and drug use problems and that men's cognitive emotion regulation strategies are also related to their partners' drug use problems.

Santoniccolo F., Trombetta T., Rollè L.

Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) is a complex issue that can be severely damaging. When involved in SSIPV, victims and perpetrators sometimes choose to seek help. The help-seeking process, however, can be difficult. Experiences of help-seeking seem to vary and may be positive or negative depending on several factors, some of which appear to be specific to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people involved in a same-sex relationship. A systematic review of the literature has been conducted across four databases following the PRISMA statement guidelines. Out of 410 screened abstracts, 78 articles were selected for full-text review. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 studies were included in the current review. Thematic analysis was conducted on these studies and results were discussed by three reviewers. Help-seekers tended to use informal sources of help, perceived to be ambivalently helpful. Formal sources tended to be utilized sparingly, except for counselors. Many formal sources were perceived to be unhelpful, and most of the studies identified several barriers to services that prevented effective help. Formal and helpful sources were perceived as knowledgeable and sensitive about LGB themes. While existing research is limited, formal services that can provide effective care for SSIPV appear scarce. Barriers to services seem widespread, limiting accessibility. Existing services would benefit from increasing their knowledge and sensitivity on SSIPV-specific themes. The development of policies, programs, and interventions that aim to provide effective help is needed, as well as more research.

Pollard D.L., Cantos A.L.

Insecure attachment has been found to be a risk factor for perpetrating physical intimate partner violence (IPV). However, this association is likely exacerbated by additional factors, such as conflicting insecure attachment in one’s partner and difficulties with overall emotion regulation and impulse control. The present study aimed to examine the associations between insecure attachment and physical IPV perpetration in male and female partners, as well as to examine whether these associations are exacerbated by involvement with a partner with opposing attachment needs and overall emotion dysregulation and impulsivity. Additionally, this study examined whether partners’ emotion dysregulation interacted to predict IPV. Two hundred eight heterosexual couples primarily recruited from a Hispanic-serving university completed questionnaires on attachment, emotion dysregulation, and one’s own and one’s partner’s perpetration. Results revealed that attachment anxiety, impulsivity, and an interaction effect between attachment avoidance and partner’s attachment anxiety were associated with self-reported, but not partner-reported, male perpetration. For females, attachment anxiety was associated with female IPV (self-reported and partner-reported), and impulsivity was associated with self-reported female IPV. Overall, results underscore how relationships between known risk factors and IPV perpetration may differ depending on if IPV perpetration is measured using self-reported or partner-reported data. Additional results and implications are discussed.

Islam S.

Sexual minority women (SMW; bisexual, lesbian) experience psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionately more than physical forms and have higher lifetime victimization rates than heterosexual women. This study presents an examination of perceptions of psychological IPV, sexual minority stigma, and childhood exposure to domestic violence among a sample of 183 SMW residing within the U.S. With an emphasis on group differences between bisexual and lesbian women, findings indicate that bisexual women evaluated vignettes depicting psychological IPV occurring among women in same-gender relationships with more negative sentiment than lesbian women. Significant associations between enacted and internalized forms of stigma and perceptions of psychological IPV also varied among bisexual and lesbian women. No significant relationships were found between perceived stigma and perceptions of IPV in either group. Furthermore, no moderation effects were detected for childhood exposure to domestic violence or sexual orientation in the relationship between sexual minority stigma and perceptions of IPV. Implications and suggestions are discussed with particular attention to the heterogeneity of experiences among SMW as a necessary area of further study.

Stephenson R., Darbes L.A., Rosso M.T., Washington C., Hightow-Weidman L., Sullivan P., Gamarel K.E.

There has been a growth in research illustrating that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates that are comparable to those among heterosexual women. However, the majority of research on IPV among same-sex male couples has focused on adults, and research on the experience of IPV among younger men (those aged under 18), remains at a nascent stage, despite knowledge that IPV is often common among younger men. This article adds to the growing body of literature on IPV among young GBMSM (YGBMSM) through of an analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews (IDI) with GBMSM aged 15–19 ( n = 30) in romantic relationships partnerships. The study sought to explore issues of relationship development, relationship contexts, and understandings of IPV. More than one-half of the sample reported experiencing some form of IPV in their current or past relationships. Participants described a range of experiences of IPV, including physical IPV, emotional IPV, sexual IPV, and controlling behaviors. Emotional IPV in the form of negative comments and controlling behaviors such as jealousy were the most commonly reported forms of violence behaviors. Although few participants reported experiencing physical or sexual IPV, several discussed concerns about giving, and partners’ acknowledging, sexual consent. Antecedents to IPV included wanting or feeling pressured to participate in normative development milestones, short-lived relationships, and societal stigma. Interventions that develop content on IPV and that reflect the lived realities of YGBMSM who are experiencing their first relationships are urgently needed. Study findings also support the need for training teachers, health care providers, and parents to identify signs of IPV and provide them with the knowledge and skills to talk to YGBMSM about relationships and violence to reduce IPV.

Meyer I.H., Russell S.T., Hammack P.L., Frost D.M., Wilson B.D.

During the past 50 years, there have been marked improvement in the social and legal environment of sexual minorities in the United States. Minority stress theory predicts that health of sexual minorities is predicated on the social environment. As the social environment improves, exposure to stress would decline and health outcomes would improve. We assessed how stress, identity, connectedness with the LGBT community, and psychological distress and suicide behavior varied across three distinct cohorts of sexual minority people in the United States. Using a national probability sample recruited in 2016 and 2017, we assessed three a priori defined cohorts of sexual minorities we labeled the pride (born 1956–1963), visibility (born 1974–1981), and equality (born 1990–1997) cohorts. We found significant and impressive cohort differences in coming out milestones, with members of the younger cohort coming out much earlier than members of the two older cohorts. But we found no signs that the improved social environment attenuated their exposure to minority stressors—both distal stressors, such as violence and discrimination, and proximal stressors, such as internalized homophobia and expectations of rejection. Psychological distress and suicide behavior also were not improved, and indeed were worse for the younger than the older cohorts. These findings suggest that changes in the social environment had limited impact on stress processes and mental health for sexual minority people. They speak to the endurance of cultural ideologies such as homophobia and heterosexism and accompanying rejection of and violence toward sexual minorities.

Trombetta T., Paradiso M.N., Santoniccolo F., Rollè L.

Background: The intergenerational transmission of violence from the family of origin to couple relationships in adulthood is well-known in the scientific literature. However, the perpetration of isolating behaviors (IBs) is still poorly explored, and additional studies are required to comprehend the mechanisms that intervene in the association between Violence in the family of origin (VFO) and isolating behaviors. Drawing from Fonagy’s mentalization model, which describes reflective functioning as the capacity to conceive mental states as explanations for one’s own and other people’s behavior, the present study aims to examine the mediating role of reflective functioning in the link between VFO and the perpetration of isolating behaviors. Methods: Online self-report questionnaires were completed by 663 Italian participants (66.8% women; Mage = 28.4, SD = 8.5) who were in a couple relationship in the last 12 months. A mediation model was tested to assess the direct and indirect effects of VFO on the perpetration of isolating behaviors through certainty and uncertainty of mentalization. Results: A direct association was found between VFO and the perpetration of isolating behaviors. Furthermore, we found an indirect effect of VFO on the perpetration of the perpetration of isolating behaviors, mediated by the certainty and uncertainty of mentalization. Conclusions: The results demonstrated the mediating role of reflective functioning in the intergenerational transmission of violence and support its implication in the perpetration of isolating behaviors in couple relationships. Although these results are preliminary, they can provide useful data at the theoretical and clinical levels.

Trombetta T., Fusco C., Rollè L., Santona A.

Introduction: Several studies point to an association between minority stress, especially internalized homonegativity and the quality of the couple relationship. However, the dimensions of psychological functioning that might moderate this relationship seem to be scarcely explored. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the association between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality by examining the moderating role of adult attachment (dimensions of anxiety and avoidance) in lesbian and gay (LG) people. Materials and Methods: A total of 674 LG participants who had been in a couple relationship for at least 12 months were included in the study and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The results show a direct negative effect of internalized homonegativity on relationship quality. Adult attachment seems to moderate this relationship: on the one hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality is significant at high levels of anxious attachment, but not at low levels. On the other hand, the negative relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality turns out to be significant at low levels of avoidant attachment, but not at high levels. Discussion: The results suggest that attachment anxiety and avoidance play different roles in the relationship between internalized homonegativity and relationship quality. While high levels of anxious attachment appear to be a risk factor, high levels of avoidant attachment seem to play a protective role. Although future studies are needed to investigate the present preliminary findings further, the results of the present study provide useful clinical and research insights.

Sun Q., Jiang N., Qiu Y., Li F.

AbstractSocial network dependence refers to the behaviour where individuals pay excessive attention to social networks, leading to negative physiological and psychological consequences. This study intended to explore the relationships and mechanisms of internalized homonegativity, sexual orientation concealment, expectations of rejection, self‐esteem and social network dependence among young Chinese gay men. A web sample of 510 young Chinese gay men completed a self‐report questionnaire on internalized homonegativity, sexual orientation concealment, expectations of rejection, self‐esteem and social network dependence. The results showed that internalized homonegativity was positively correlated with social network dependence. The associations between internalized homonegativity and social network dependence were mediated by sexual orientation concealment, expectations of rejection and self‐esteem. In addition, sexual orientation concealment and self‐esteem played a chain mediation role between internalized homonegativity and social network dependence, and expectations of rejection and self‐esteem played a sequential mediation role between internalized homonegativity and social network dependence. The study is conducive to understanding the contributing factors and mechanisms of social network dependence.

Taccini F., Rossi A.A., Mannarini S.

(1) Background: Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) can greatly impact victims’ physical and mental health, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotion regulation has been identified in the literature as a factor that contributes to the manifestation of PTSD. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the relationship among the increase in IPV victimization (i.e., physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence), emotion dysregulation, and PTSD symptoms. It has been hypothesized that emotion dysregulation may mediate the increase in IPV occurrence and PTSD symptoms. (2) Methods: 284 women (Mage = 40.92) exposed to IPV were recruited in Italy. IPV experience was screened using the Revised Conflict Tactic Scale questionnaire. A mediational analysis was performed using Rstudio. (3) Results: The findings corroborated the mediating role of emotion dysregulation: the relationship between the increase in IPV and PTSD symptoms appears to be mediated by emotion dysregulation. (4) Conclusions: These findings bolster the existing literature regarding the association between emotion dysregulation and PTSD, underscoring the important role of emotion dysregulation in trauma symptoms. This highlights the significance of prioritizing the treatment of emotion dysregulation as a focal point for intervention and support for those who have experienced IPV.

Passos Júnior G.R., Rocha M.Q., Rocha I.P.

A Homofobia é um conjunto de comportamentos desqualificadores, violentos e aversivos em relação a tudo que se refere ao universo homossexual, ou seja, qualquer ação ou pessoa que invisibilize ou inferiorize integrantes da comunidade LGBTQIA+ é considerada homofóbica. O objetivo desse trabalho é analisar os impactos da homofobia na saúde mental dos homossexuais, para tanto utiliza-se de uma revisão bibliográfica da literatura sobre os aspectos psicossociais na saúde mental dos homossexuais afetados pela homofobia. A maioria dos estudos consistiu em analisar os impactos da homofobia nas dinâmicas sociais e pessoais desses indivíduos e as evidências das pesquisas sugerem que, em comparação com os heterossexuais, homossexuais sofrem de mais problemas de saúde mental. A discriminação relacionada com o status de minoria social cria-se um duplo risco para o desenvolvimento de doenças mentais, ainda mais quando as terapias psicológicas não validam os sentimentos dessa população e/ou focam apenas na redução da sintomatologia.

Trombetta T., Paradiso M.N., Venturini L., Rizzo M., Santoniccolo F., Rollè L.

AbstractAttention to Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence (SSIPV) has increased in the last decades. Isolating behaviors, however, have been poorly studied, despite the increased vulnerability to isolation experienced by gay and lesbian couples. The aim of the present study was to examine the independent effects of minority stressors (experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, and internalized homonegativity), emotion dysregulation, and adult attachment dimensions (attachment avoidance and anxiety) on isolating behaviors perpetration. One hundred and forty-eight gay or lesbian individuals (Mage = 32.48; SD = 10.91) involved in a same-sex relationship participated in the study and completed a self-report online questionnaire. A multiple regression model was used to examine the relationship between the variables in the study. Only attachment anxiety was associated with isolating behaviors. In contrast, attachment avoidance, experiences of discrimination, perceived stigma, internalized homonegativity, and emotion dysregulation did not influence perpetration of isolating behaviors. The present study highlights the influence of attachment anxiety on isolating behaviors, suggesting the role of dysfunctional mechanisms of interpersonal distance regulation. The obtained results provide information at the theoretical and clinical level.

Taccini F., Mannarini S.

Media framing encompasses the intentional curation and arrangement of relevant information, revolving around a central theme, to fashion a unified storyline. This article aims to explore how the news media frame women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). By understanding these perceptions, it is possible to gain insight into societal attitudes and biases, shaping how IPV is perceived, discussed, and addressed within our communities. The review was pre-registered on the PROSPERO database of systematic reviews (registration number: CRD42022347911). Moreover, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA statement) was followed. A total of 17 articles were selected from 8158 search results across four databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Data collection was conducted in 2022. The 17 articles were divided into two groups: the media framing of women with an IPV experience and IPV-related femicides. Episodic framing was the most used frame in both groups. Moreover, a tendency to minimise the violence that occurred, to use inappropriate language, to blame the women, and to confound violence with love and sex resulted in both groups. News media tend to depict women who experienced IPV in a stigmatising way, but the review highlighted that media could make a positive impact by increasing public awareness and promoting more positive portrayals. The review offers recommendations to develop policies and practises that can train media professionals to avoid perpetuating stereotypical images of women who experienced violence and report in a responsible and ethical ways.

Trombetta T., Rollè L.

Same-sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV) is still under investigation despite its spreading. Unique risk factors, such as internalized homonegativity, have been found to be related to physical SSIPV perpetration. However, the mechanisms that regulate this association are still unclear. Drawing from the psychological mediation framework (PMF), this paper aimed to explore the relationship between internalized homonegativity and physical SSIPV perpetration, assessing the mediating role of emotion dysregulation. In all, 139 gay and lesbian participants involved in same-sex relationships participated in the study by completing a self-administered online questionnaire. Mediation analyses were used to assess both the direct and indirect effects. Internalized homonegativity was not directly associated with physical SSIPV perpetration. However, internalized homonegativity was positively associated with emotion dysregulation, which, in turn, was positively associated with physical SSIPV perpetration. The indirect effect of internalized homonegativity on physical SSIPV perpetration through emotion dysregulation was also confirmed. The results that emerged extend the application of the PMF to SSIPV. The data found can inform both preventive interventions and treatments targeting SSIPV perpetrators to reduce the phenomenon and limit recidivism.