Dispositional mindfulness mediates the relationship between internalized homonegativity and depressive symptoms in lesbians and gay men

Lesbians and gay men experience mental health disparities associated with minority stress. Prior research indicates that dispositional mindfulness (DM) is positively linked to mental health. The present study examined whether DM mediates or moderates the relationship between internalized homonegativity (IH) and depressive symptoms among lesbians and gay men. Data were collected in 2018 using a cross-sectional online survey of lesbians (n = 118) and gay men (n = 117) in Germany. Analyses were conducted on the combined sample (N = 235). Results showed that IH positively predicted depressive symptoms, whereas DM negatively predicted depressive symptoms. DM did not moderate, but rather mediated, the relationship between IH and depressive symptoms. The association between IH and depressive symptoms was fully mediated by DM. Specifically, when DM was included, the direct effect of IH on depressive symptoms was nonsignificant. These findings suggest that mindfulness techniques may be a valuable resource for lesbians and gay men, regardless of their current levels of IH. Incorporating mindfulness strategies into lesbian- and gay-affirmative therapy may therefore help to reduce depressive symptoms in this population.