Abstract
This study examined group differences of microaggressions, stress-related growth, and symptoms of depression among sexual minorities. A sample 396 of sexual minority participants were recruited via MTurk and responded to several surveys assessing for demographics, experiences with microaggressions, depression symptoms, and stress-related growth. It was hypothesized (1) that non-monosexual (individuals who are sexually attracted to more than one sex) participants would have greater depression symptoms than other sexual minority participants. Also, it was hypothesized that (2) non-monosexual participants would more frequently experience microaggressions than other sexual minority participants. The third hypothesis was that (3) monosexual participants would experience greater stress-related growth than non-monosexual participants. It was also hypothesized that (4) microaggressions would have a positive relationship with depression symptoms. The fifth hypothesis was that (5) stress-related growth would have a negative relationship with depression symptoms. Finally, it was hypothesized that (6) stress-related growth would act as a mediator for the relationship between microaggressions and symptoms of depression. Additional statistical analyses examined the relationship between microaggressions and depression as well as stress-related growth and depression. A final mediation analysis was completed to assess if stress-related growth acts as a mediator for the relationship between microaggressions and depression symptoms. Results indicated that the first, third, fourth and fifth hypotheses were supported while the second and sixth hypotheses were not supported. The implications and limitations of the findings were discussed, as well as directions for future research.