Erzin A.I., Semenova T.S. —
Stigma as the Factor of Reactive Depression Experienced by Homosexual and Bisexual Teenagers
// Psychology and Psychotechnics. – 2016. – ¹ 8.
– P. 637 - 641.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0722.2016.8.21119
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Abstract: As a period when sexual identity is formed, teenage years can be considered to be one of the most difficult stages of personality development associated with numerous difficulties arising in such spheres as interpersonal relationships and self-conception. Providing that in many modern countries including Russia social attitudes and public opinions pathologize deviant sexual desire, teenagers with diffusive sexual identity and those who recognize themselves as homo- or bisexual often face misunderstanding, resentment and even bullying by their social surroundings. As the sources report, the majority of such teenagers are also go through stigmatization. This naturally leads to such negative consequences as psychogenic depression, anxiety and other stress disorders, drastically raise the risk of self-injurious and suicidal behavior, narcotization, alcohol addiction and victimization. The purpose of the present research is to study the role of stigma in the development and severity of psychogenic depression experienced by homosexual and bisexual teenagers. 70 homosexual and bisexual teenagers aged 12 – 16 years participated in the research. Teenagers took the following psychological tests: the Kinsey scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and a brief questionnaire prepared by the authors of the research to evaluate the level of stigmatization experienced by teenagers. According to the results, 96 percent of teenagers participating in the research have experienced stigmatization because of their sexual orientation. The research also demonstrate that more than half of the respondents suffer from different degrees of depressive symptoms. Based on the results of data analysis, stigmatization plays an important role in the development of psychogenic depression for this group of teenagers. The results of the research can be used for further development/modification of models and methods used in psychotherapy and psychosocial support of young people who suffer from neurosis and mood disorders because of stigmatization and discrimination of people with queer-gender identity.