Self-with-Other Schemata, Depression, and Life Satisfaction in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People: The Protective Effects of Identity Resilience and Social Support

Self-with-other schemata, such as attachment style, partner rejection sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty in relationships, shape how people relate to intimate partners as well as mental health. The effects of these self-with-other schemata upon depression and life satisfaction, as well as the potential protective effects of identity resilience and social support were examined in a cross-sectional correlational survey study of 257 lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Participants provided demographic information, and completed measures of attachment style, partner rejection sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty in relationships, identity resilience, social support, depression, and life satisfaction. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression. Depression was associated positively with uncertainty intolerance, and negatively with income, identity resilience, and social support. Life satisfaction was associated positively with income, being partnered, identity resilience, and social support. When identity resilience and social support were inserted in the models, avoidant attachment ceased to be a significant predictor of depression, and anxious and avoidant attachment and partner rejection sensitivity ceased to be significant predictors of life satisfaction. Insecure attachment, partner rejection sensitivity, and uncertainty intolerance are risk factors for poor mental health but identity resilience and social support may have protective effects.