The Unique Effects of Identity Centrality and Discrimination on Mental Health in Latinx Sexual Minoritized Emerging Adults

Latinx sexual minoritized emerging adults (SMEA) face heightened mental health risks due to compounded ethnic-racial and sexual orientation-based discrimination. This study examined how personal, ethnic-racial, U.S. and sexual orientation identity centrality relates to mental health and moderates the effects of discrimination. In a sample of 220 Latinx SMEA (74.1% female, Mage = 20.13 years, SD = 1.43, 18-24 years old) personal and ethnic-racial identity centrality were positively associated with psychological well-being. U.S. identity centrality was negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Sexual orientation identity centrality was negatively associated with symptoms of depression. Discrimination was linked to poorer mental health overall, and sexual orientation discrimination was negatively associated with psychological well-being, but only when personal identity centrality was high. These findings contribute to the existing intersectional literature on the experiences of Latinx SMEA and provide support for existing theories that note the importance of developing a positive sense of self, particularly within minoritized populations.