Date of Publication
8-2026
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Psychology Major in Clinical Psychology
Subject Categories
Clinical Psychology
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Psychology
Thesis Advisor
Karmia A. Pakingan
Defense Panel Chair
Melissa R. Garabiles
Defense Panel Member
Cely D. Magpantay
James Philip Ray V. Pinggolio
Abstract (English)
Previous studies indicate that sexual minorities experience increased depressive symptoms in comparison to heterosexual individuals. The disparity is likely due to minority stressors related to their sexuality, particularly internalized homonegativity. While social support may be able to reduce the disparity, Indonesian sexual minorities may not be able to receive social support due to fear of repercussions following disclosure in a culture where homonegativity is widespread. However, Indonesian sexual minorities are still able to seek shelter and connect with the sexual minority community. Connecting to the sexual minority community has been documented to offer protective benefits and could potentially buffer the association between internalized homonegativity and depressive symptoms. Using the data from Sexual and Gender Minority-Cross Countries Phase 1: Lived Experiences of SGM Individuals Project, the present study examined whether internalized homonegativity was positively associated with depressive symptoms and whether community connectedness moderated this association. Cross-sectional data from 219 Indonesian sexual minorities revealed that internalized homonegativity was positively associated with depressive symptoms; however, community connectedness did not significantly buffer this association. Among covariates, heightened depressive symptoms were significantly predicted by financial difficulty, female gender identity, non-religiosity, younger age, and non-monosexual orientation.
These findings highlight internalized homonegativity as a risk factor for mental health disparities in a conservative and collectivist context with high levels of homonegativity, suggesting that psychological connection to a marginalized group alone may be insufficient to reduce the detrimental impact of internalized stigma on depressive symptoms without broader social integration. Clinical implications are provided for mental health practitioners.
Keywords: internalized homonegativity, community connectedness, depression, sexual minorities, Indonesia, minority stress theory
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ipinapakita ng mga naunang pag-aaral na mas mataas ang antas ng sintomas ng depresyon sa mga sexual minority kaysa sa mga heterosexual na indibidwal. Maaaring kaugnay ito ng minority stress, lalo na ng internalized homonegativity. Bagama’t maaaring makatulong ang social support, maaaring mahirapan ang mga sexual minority sa Indonesia na makatanggap nito dahil sa takot sa diskriminasyon sa isang kulturang laganap ang homonegativity. Ipinakita sa mga pag-aaral na ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad na ito ay maaaring magsilbing proteksiyon at posibleng makatulong upang mabawasan ang ugnayan ng internalized homonegativity at mga sintomas ng depresyon. Gamit ang datos mula sa Sexual and Gender Minority–Cross Countries Phase 1: Lived Experiences of SGM Individuals Project, sinuri ng pag-aaral kung may kaugnayan ang internalized homonegativity sa sintomas ng depresyon at kung nababago ito ng community connectedness. Batay sa datos mula sa 219 Indonesian sexual minority, natuklasang mas mataas ang internalized homonegativity ay kaugnay ng mas matinding sintomas ng depresyon. Gayunpaman, hindi makabuluhang nabawasan ng community connectedness ang ugnayang ito. Mas mataas din ang sintomas ng depresyon sa mga nakararanas ng hirap pinansyal, may pagkakakilanlang babae, hindi relihiyoso, mas bata, at may non-monosexual na oryentasyon. Ipinapakita ng mga natuklasan na ang internalized homonegativity ay mahalagang salik sa hindi pagkakapantay-pantay sa kalusugang pangkaisipan sa isang konserbatibo at kolektibistang konteksto. Iminumungkahi rin nito na hindi sapat ang pakiramdam ng koneksiyon sa komunidad upang mabawasan ang epekto ng internalized stigma kung wala ring mas malawak na pagtanggap at integrasyon sa lipunan. Mahalaga ang mga natuklasang ito sa praktika ng mga propesyonal sa mental health.
Keywords: internalized homonegativity, community connectedness, depression, sexual minorities, Indonesia, minority stress theory
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Internalized homophobia; Depressions; Sexual minorities--Indonesia
Recommended Citation
Budiman, N. O. (2026). Beyond belonging: Examining the interplay of internalized homonegativity, community connectedness, and depression among Indonesian sexual minorities. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_psych/113
Upload Full Text
wf_yes
Embargo Period
8-14-2027
