PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY AND ITS CORRELATES AMONG LGBTQIA+

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other LGBTQIA+ individuals have been the subject of much discussion in India between 2009 and 2019, although they still exhibit unequal health outcomes. Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or who are otherwise "sexual and gender diverse" face systemic and personal discrimination, which has a negative impact on their well-being and produces unequal results in several important areas of life. Although more Indian youths than ever before may accept homosexuality and queer identities. Today, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) individuals still constantly struggle to be accepted for who they are sexually and to be free to openly express their gender choices within the boundaries of family, home, and school. They are constantly faced with stigmatization affecting them physically, psychologically and socially. As part of an ongoing effort to understand the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ communities during this period, the aim of the present study was to examine the psychological Safety and its correlates among LGBTQ+. A sample of 35 LGBTQ+ individuals in total is gathered for this. Some of the other variables included in this study are Self-Esteem, Belongingness and Homonegative Microagression. SPSS was used to get the raw scores and do statistical analysis. The findings indicated that psychological safety and self-esteem were positively correlated. Additionally, there is a favorable correlation between the component of belongingness known as companionship and psychological safety. Finding the predictors of psychological safety—self-esteem and companionship—was another useful outcome of this study. More attention needs to be paid to fostering close and supportive relationships inside and outside of the community (externally) and enhancing the self-esteem of LGBTQ+ people in order to ensure their psychological safety (internally).