Minority Stress and Intimate Partner Violence Among Chinese LGBTQ People: The Mediating Roles of Proximal Minority Stressors and Self-Esteem

Background and Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue with long-term impacts. While existing research predominantly focuses on heterosexual couples, LGBTQ individuals experience comparable or higher rates of IPV. This study examines the pathway through which distal minority stressor (i.e., experiences of discrimination) is associated with IPV among Chinese LGBTQ people through the mediating roles of proximal minority stressors (i.e., internalized homophobia, identity concealment, and expectations of rejection) and self-esteem. It addresses knowledge gaps in two ways. First, few empirical studies explore potential mediators in the relationship between minority stress and IPV. Second, while most of the IPV studies focus on Euro-American contexts, considering that the dynamics of IPV are culturally specific, our study is crucial to understand the experiences of IPV among Chinese LGBTQ people – a socially marginalized group that has been largely overlooked in the literature and in society at large.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional online survey, data were collected on a sample of 631 Chinese self-identified LGBTQ individuals (age M = 28.84 [range = 18–54]; female = 58.8%, male = 39%, other genders = 2.2%). Participants were recruited through local LGBTQ organizations, online platforms, and referrals. We tested serial multiple mediation models, with proximal minority stressors and self-esteem as mediating variables. We hypothesized that distal minority stressor among Chinese LGBTQ individuals would be associated with higher levels of proximal minority stressors and lower levels of self-esteem, which in turn would be linked to IPV perpetration or victimization. To provide a more nuanced analysis that reflects the distinct nature of IPV experienced by LGBTQ individuals, the models examined general IPV (using the widely-used Revised Conflict Tactics Scales) and LGBTQ-specific tactics (drawing on prior research and including items such as identity-based abuse and threats to out someone). For the analyses, we used PROCESS Macro with a bootstrapping approach.

Results

The results partly supported our hypotheses. Experiences of discrimination (distal minority stressor) were significantly associated with higher levels of internalized homophobia and expectations of rejection (proximal minority stressors), which were associated with lower self-esteem. Lower self-esteem, in turn, was associated with increased LGBTQ-specific tactics perpetration and victimization. However, the direct association between experiences of discrimination (distal minority stress) and identity concealment (proximal minority stressor) was not significant in the models. Only the indirect effects of experiences of discrimination on LGBTQ-specific tactics perpetration and victimization through self-esteem alone were significant. The indirect effects of experiences of discrimination on IPV perpetration or victimization through proximal stressors and self-esteem were not significant.

Conclusions and Implications

The findings highlight the importance of reducing proximal minority stressors and improving self-esteem to mitigate the negative impacts of experiences of discrimination on LGBTQ-specific IPV perpetration and victimization. Understanding the mechanism linking minority stress to LGBTQ-specific IPV is crucial in supporting social workers in identifying local LGBTQ communities’ needs and vulnerabilities (e.g., identity-based abuse) and guiding culturally relevant interventions. At the societal level, social workers and policymakers should implement public education campaigns and inclusive policies that target stigma reduction and promote LGBTQ-affirming environments.