Exploring the relationship between gay men's self- and meta-stereotype endorsement with well-being and self-worth. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hinton, Jordan D. X.; Anderson, Joel R.; Koc, Yasin
• Is Part Of: Psychology and sexuality. Volume 10:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Gay men -- gay male -- meta-stereotypes -- stereotype endorsement -- well-being -- self-worth; Sex (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Sex (Psychology); Periodicals; 155.305
• DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2019.1577013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-9899

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Stereotypes typically have negative impacts on stigmatized minority groups, especially when endorsed by members of that group. This paper examines the prevalence and consequences of stereotype endorsement on well-being within the gay community. Specifically, we explored how gay men's self-stereotype (i.e., personal beliefs about the stereotypes pertaining to one's in-group) and meta-stereotype (i.e., believing that out-group members endorse stereotypes pertaining to one's in-group) endorsement would be related to mental and cognitive well-being. The sample of 253 gay male participants (aged 18–78 years; M = 38.25, SD = 13.51) completed an online questionnaire assessing demographics, self- and meta-stereotype endorsement, mental well-being (depression, anxiety, stress), and cognitive well-being (life satisfaction, self-worth) measures. We found evidence that our sample endorsed both self- and meta-stereotypes, with meta-stereotypes being endorsed more strongly than self-stereotypes. Regression analyses revealed a unique pattern of findings about the consequences of endorsing stereotypes: increases in self-stereotyping predicted decreases in mental well-being, whereas increases in meta-stereotyping predicted decreases in cognitive well-being. Limitations and future directions are discussed.