Acceptance of Sexual Minorities, Discrimination, Social Capital and Health and Well-Being: A Cross-European Study among Members of Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Couples

Below:  Multilevel structural equation model with self-rated health as dependent variable. Solid lines represent significant relationships with standardized β coefficients; Interrupted lines represent non-significant relationships with standardized β coefficients and p values. *P value is smaller than or equal to 0.05; **P value is smaller than or equal to 0.01; ***P value is smaller than or equal to 0.001

Below:  Multilevel structural equation model with subjective well-being as dependent variable. Solid lines represent significant relationships with standardized β coefficients; Interrupted lines represent non-significant relationships with standardized β coefficients and p values. *P value is smaller than or equal to 0.05; **P value is smaller than or equal to 0.01; ***P value is smaller than or equal to 0.001

LGB acceptance was significantly related to better self-rated health and subjective well-being among all individuals, and these associations were partially mediated by individual social capital. No differences in these associations were found between individuals living in same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Sexuality-based discrimination had an additional significantly negative effect on self-related health and subjective well-being.

The findings of this study suggest a negative association between exposure to discrimination based on sexual orientation and both health and well-being of individuals living in same-sex couples. Members of same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples alike may benefit from living in societies with a high level of LGB acceptance to promote better health and well-being.

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