Links between heteronormativity dimensions and life satisfaction in Chilean lesbian, gay and bisexual university students

Vínculos entre las dimensiones de heteronormatividad y la satisfacción con la vida en estudiantes universitarios lesbianas, gays y bisexuales en Chile

Lucas Sandoval , Ligia Orellana , Berta Schnettler , Leonor Riquelme-Segura , José Sepúlveda , Karol Reutter
Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, (2024), 56, pp. 35-44.
Received 11 December 2023
Accepted 12 April 2024

https://doi.org/10.14349/rlp.2024.v56.4

Resumen

Introducción: Personas lesbianas, gay y bisexuales (LGB) pueden tener actitudes y creencias heteronormativas, que incluyen suposiciones sobre el esencialismo de género y comportamientos esperados de hombres y mujeres en una relación. En esta población, la adhesión a la heteronormatividad puede aumentar una sensación de discrepancia entre el yo “actual” y el yo que “debería ser”; esta discrepancia, a su vez, tiene un efecto negativo en la satisfacción con la vida. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar las relaciones entre dos dimensiones de la heteronormatividad –esencialismo de género y comportamientos normativos– y la satisfacción con la vida, tanto de manera directa como mediada por dicha discrepancia-del-yo. Método: Una muestra de 232 estudiantes universitarios LBG en el sur de Chile respondieron un cuestionario online que incluyó la Escala de Actitudes y Creencias Heteronormativas, el Índice de Discrepancia-del-yo, y la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida. Se aplicaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para probar estas relaciones. Resultados: El esencialismo de género y los comportamientos normativos se asociaron de manera negativa y positiva con la satisfacción con la vida, respectivamente. Asimismo, la discrepancia-del-yo se asoció negativamente con la satisfacción con la vida. No se encontró evidencia del rol mediador de la discrepancia-del-yo en este modelo. Conclusión: Estudiantes universitarios LGB pueden adherirse a diferentes dimensiones de la heteronormatividad, lo que a su vez puede relacionarse diferencialmente con la satisfacción con la vida.

Palabras clave:
Heteronormatividad, satisfacción vital, discrepancia-del-yo, estudiantes universitarios, minorías sexuales

Abstract

Introduction: Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people can hold heteronormative attitudes and beliefs, which comprise assumptions regarding gender essentialism and men and women’s expected behaviours in relationships. In this population, adherence to heteronormativity may increase a sense of discrepancy between the “current” and the “ought” self. This self-discrepancy, in turn, has a negative impact on life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between two dimensions of heteronormativity –gender essentialism and normative behaviours– and life satisfaction, both directly and mediated by self-discrepancy. Method: A sample of 232 LGB university students in Southern Chile answered an online questionnaire that included the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale, the Self-Discrepancy Index, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Structural equation models were performed to test these relationships. Results: Gender essentialism and normative behaviour were negatively and positively associated with life satisfaction, respectively. Likewise, self-discrepancy was negatively linked to life satisfaction. The analysis showed no evidence for the mediating role of self-discrepancy in this model. Conclusion: LGB university students can adhere to different dimensions of heteronormativity, which in turn may relate differentially to life satisfaction.

Keywords:
Heteronormativity, life satisfaction, self-discrepancy, university students, sexual minorities

Artículo Completo
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