The Protective Role of Social Support: Examining the Relationship between Discrimination and Well-Being in Black LGB Individuals

Background and Purpose: Black individuals often experience discrimination, which can negatively impact their social well-being. Routine discrimination experiences related to the multiply marginalized identities of Black lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Although previous research suggests that social support can buffer against these effects, such findings are mixed. Considering Black LGB individuals report experiencing discrimination across various settings, including health care, education, housing, etc., an investigation of the protectiveness of social support for well-being among this population is warranted. Ergo, the current study investigates whether social support moderates the relationship between everyday discrimination and social well-being among Black LGB adults.

Methods: An analytical sample of 70 Black LGB adults (aged 19-62; M=37) was drawn from a United States mixed methods survey on the health and well-being of LGB individuals across three generations.

Measures: Participants reported the frequency of discriminatory experiences in daily life using the 9-item Everyday Discrimination Scale (α=0.91). Social well-being was assessed by asking participants to rate their level of agreement with statements based on five dimensions of social integration, social acceptance, social contribution, social actualization, and social coherence using the 15-item Social Well-Being Scale Short-Form (α=0.82), and responses ranged from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (7). Using the 12-item Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (α=0.92), participants reported their perception of social support from family, friends, and a significant other, with responses ranging from very strongly disagree (1) to very strongly agree (7). The highest level of educational attainment and current employment status were included as covariates.

Results: Bivariate correlation analyses conclude that higher levels of everyday discrimination were associated with lower social well-being (r=-0.352; p=0.045) and less perceived social support (r=-0.305; p=0.012), while greater perceived social support was correlated with higher levels of social well-being (r=0.433; p=0.006). Additionally, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that everyday discrimination (B=-.394; p=0.001) and social support (B=.368; p=0.001) significantly predicted social well-being, controlling for education and employment. However, the interaction between everyday discrimination and social support was non-significant (B=-.045; p=0.671), suggesting that social support did not moderate the relationship between discrimination and social well-being.

Conclusion: The current study highlights the significant impact of both everyday discrimination and perceived social support on the social well-being of Black LGB adults. While everyday discrimination was linked to lower well-being, social support was associated with better well-being. However, social support did not buffer against the adverse effects of discrimination. Researchers and practitioners should explore the integration of culturally relevant and identity-specific forms of support (e.g., connectedness, belongingness, and affiliation) that may be more effective in promoting resilience and mitigating the adverse effects of discrimination on well-being outcomes within this marginalized population.