Role of external and internalized heterosexism, meaning of life and psychological distress among UK lesbians: a conceptual replication study

Distal and proximal stressors cause sexual minority groups to experience excess stress, which can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Internalised heterosexism and meaning in life can act as mediators and moderators in some of these pathways. However, typically all sexual minority people are examined together. The present study aimed to conceptually replicate previous findings, but in a sample of only lesbians, to explore their unique experiences independent of other sexual minority groups. In this cross-sectional self-report study 363 UK lesbians completed an online questionnaire measuring experiences of heterosexist discrimination, internalised heterosexism, search for meaning in life and presence of meaning in life, and psychological distress. Correlations, mediations, and moderated mediations were conducted to explore the relationships between variables. In line with original research, internalised heterosexism significantly partially mediated the heterosexist discrimination and psychological distress relationship (p < 0.001). However, no moderating roles of search for meaning in life, nor presence of meaning in life were found, contrary to previous findings This difference could be due to specific sample characteristics. These results highlight the need for sexual minority women to be centralised in research to ensure interventions aiming to reduce psychological distress are tailored to the specific sexual minority group.