Date of Award

January 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

John E. Pachankis

Second Advisor

Danielle M. Chiaramonte

Abstract

Objective: This purpose of this study is to test the moderating effect of three facets of LGBTQ community connectedness (i.e., behavioral, social, and psychological) on the relationship between state- and county-level structural stigma and depression for gay and bisexual men in the United States. Methods: This study relied on a national population-based sample (n=407) of gay and bisexual men. We ran separate linear effects models with an interaction term to test the moderating effect of (1) behavioral contact with an LGBTQ community center, (2) social engagement with LGBTQ friends, and (3) psychological connectedness with the LGBTQ community, on the association between objectively measured structural stigma at the state- and county-level and depression. Results: Among gay and bisexual men living in a high-stigma state, LGBTQ community center contact was associated with a lower odds of depression symptoms. Among gay and bisexual men living in counties with average and high structural stigma scores, LGBTQ psychological connectedness was associated with a weaker association between county-level structural stigma and depression symptoms. LGBTQ friends was not a significant moderator of the association between state- or county-level structural stigma and depression symptoms. Conclusions: In high stigma contexts, two facets of LGBTQ community connectedness (i.e., behavioral and psychological) can protect against the effect of structural stigma on depression symptoms.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. It will be made publicly available on 09/16/2027

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