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Mediators of the Relationship Between Internalized Oppressions and Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Psychological Distress

This study examined the relationship of internalized oppressions to the psychological distress of 304 lesbian and bisexual women. In addition, it investigated whether self-esteem and social support mediated the relationship between internalized oppressions and mental health. Results indicate that after controlling for education, internalized sexism (IS) and internalized heterosexism/internalized homophobia (IH) are significant predictors of psychological distress and account for 17% of the variance. The interactions between IS and IH are not significant predictors of psychological distress. Furthermore, results reveal that self-esteem and social support fully mediate the relationships between IH and psychological distress. Social support was also found to fully mediate the relationship between IS and psychological distress. However, no support was found for the mediational role of self-esteem in the link between IS and psychological distress. Research and practice implications are discussed.