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Social neuroscience of depression: Developmental stage & sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities

Principal Investigator (PI) / Project Lead:

HOY-ELLIS, CHARLES PITRE

Funding Organization:

University of Utah Research Foundation

RFP / FOA:

Research Incentive Seed Grant Program – College of Social Work

Award Number:

None

Project Period:

6/30/2019 – 6/29/2020, NCE 9/23/2021

Total Funding:

$34,541

Project Status:

Ended

 

Project Description:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognize sexual and gender minorities (SGM) as a health disparate population for the purposes of research. The National Survey of Midlife Development data found stark contrasts in the past-year prevalence of major depression among 18 to 74-year-old Americans. Evidence suggests that internalized SGM identity stigma and identity concealment are significantly associated with depression among SGM people; yet our understanding of how these underlying pathways of risk contribute to disparately high rates of depression among SGM remains extremely limited. This pilot study aims to compare heterosexuals and SGM to examine potential mechanisms through which the social nervous system mediates and/or moderates sexual/gender identity stigma and identity concealment and social threat to increase risk for depression among SGM. In the first step, the researchers will record and analyze specific patterns of autonomic reactivity to visual stimuli via psychophysiological indices of heart rate variability, skin conductance response, and respiration that capture cortical-subcortical cognitive and affective physiological processing of SGM social threat and affirmation. Second, experimentally-induced suppression as a cognitive/affective coping mechanism, potentially influencing physiological arousal response patterns in identity stigma and identity concealment, will be tested. This will be done with the objective of comparing effects of brief suppression of SGM identity to a no suppression control condition on psychophysiological reactions to SGM-related negative, neutral, and positive stimuli.

 

Abstract:

Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM) are formally recognized as a health disparate population for the purposes of research by the National Institutes of Health. The National Survey of Midlife Development data found stark contrasts in the past-year prevalence of major depression among 18- to 74-year old Americans. The rate among lesbian and bisexual women (34%) was twice that of heterosexual women (17%), while gay and bisexual men (31%) had three times the rate compared to heterosexual men (10%). Rates among gender identity minorities may approach 50%. Evidence suggests that internalized SGM identity stigma and identity concealment are significantly associated with depression among SGM people; yet our understanding of how these underlying pathways of risk contribute to disparately high rates of depression among SGM remains extremely limited. This proposed pilot study aims to compare heterosexuals and SGM to examine potential mechanisms through which the social nervous system mediates and/or moderates sexual/gender identity stigma and identity concealment and social threat to increase risk for depression among. In the first step, psychophysiological indices of heart rate variability, skin conductance response, and electroencephalography that capture cortical-subcortical cognitive and affective physiological processing of SGM social threat and affirmation will be recorded and analyzed to assess specific patterns of autonomic reactivity to social stigma. Second, experimentally-induced suppression as a cognitive/affective coping mechanism potentially influencing physiological arousal response patterns in identity stigma and identity concealment will be tested, with the objective of comparing effects of brief suppression of SGM identity to a no suppression control condition on psychophysiological reactions to SGM-related negative, neutral, and positive stimuli. To meet these aims and objectives we propose to recruit a sample of 124 SGM and heterosexual adults, to be stratified and randomized by age, race/ethnicity, gender/identity, and sexual orientation, and record psychophysiological responses to positive, neutral, and negative visual stimuli across the spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation.

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Last Updated: 2/2/22