Title: Minority Stress, Emotion Regulation, and Psychological Well-being among LGBTQ+ Young Adults in Southeast Asia
Authors: Y Nguyen Trang Thien, Ngan Nguyen Thi Thuy
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 151-157
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
LGBTQ+ young adults in Southeast Asia encounter significant mental health difficulties influenced by stigma, familial expectations, and insufficient legal protections. This study investigated the correlations between minority stress, emotion control, and psychological well-being, with emotion regulation evaluated as a mediating factor. An anonymous online survey was conducted utilizing a questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to 320 LGBTQ+ adults aged 18-30 in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The assessment tools utilized were the Minority Stress Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). The data were examined utilizing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and mediation analysis with Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 4). The findings demonstrated a substantial negative correlation between minority stress and psychological well-being (r = -.54, p < .001). Expressive suppression partially mediated this connection (B = -2.38, 95% CI [-3.41, -1.37]), but cognitive reappraisal served as a protective mediator (B = -2.25, 95% CI [-3.31, -1.19]). Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals exhibited markedly elevated minority stress and diminished well-being compared to cisgender LGB individuals. The findings indicate that emotion management is crucial in influencing mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ young adults in Southeast Asia. Interventions that enhance adaptive regulatory skills and mitigate structural and familial stressors may foster enhanced psychological well-being in this population.