Citation

Miner KN, Costa PL. Stress Health 2018; 34(4): 563-572.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/smi.2817

PMID

29856117

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism, emotional reactions (i.e., fear and anger), and outcomes for sexual minority and heterosexual employees. Five hundred thirty-six restaurant employees (68% female, 77% White) completed an online survey assessing the variables of interest.

RESULTS showed that greater experiences of ambient workplace heterosexism were associated with heightened fear and anger and, in turn, with heightened psychological distress (for fear) and greater physical health complaints, turnover intentions, and lowered job satisfaction (for anger). Fear also mediated the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism and psychological distress. In addition, sexual orientation moderated the relationship between ambient workplace heterosexism and fear such that sexual minority employees reported more fear than heterosexuals with greater ambient heterosexism. These effects occurred after controlling for personal experiences of interpersonal discrimination. Our findings suggest that ambient workplace heterosexism can be harmful to all employees, not only sexual minorities or targeted individuals.

Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

heterosexism; job attitudes; sexual orientation; well-being; workplace