Is mindfulness associated with decreased hopelessness among young gay and bisexual men? The roles of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection

This study aims to investigate the association between mindfulness and hopelessness among Chinese young gay and bisexual men, as well as the mediating roles of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection. Differences between gay and bisexual men are also considered. Scales measuring mindfulness, hopelessness, perceived parental support for sexual orientation, and expectation of rejection were administered to 509 gay and bisexual men. Structural equation modelling was used to test the mediating pathways. As a result, mindfulness was negatively associated with hopelessness, with expectation of rejection acting as a mediator. Additionally, a sequential mediating effect of perceived parental support for sexual orientation and expectation of rejection was also found. Models differed significantly between gay and bisexual men, with gay men having a stronger effect on the path from mindfulness to expectation of rejection than bisexual men. In conclusion, Mindfulness may help improv