DOI:10.6129/CJP.202209_64(3).0004
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2022, Vol.64, No.3, 341-358

Ugly Truth: The Effects of Positive Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage on Ego Depletion and Psychological Distress

Shu-An Liao(Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University), Yuan-Hsi Liao(Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University), Tzu-Ting Lin(Department of Psychology, National Chengchi University)

Abstract

Took advantage of Taiwan’s same-sex marriage referendum in 2018, this study explored how the voters’ attitudes toward this gender equality issue played a role in their psychological process and psychological distress after the results settled down. Data were collected in two time points, one week prior to and after the referendum, respectively. Analysis of the total 205 participants indicated that voters’ positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage prior to the referendum had a significant positive correlation with their psychological distress after the referendum, although only on the interpersonal-oriented psychological distress (loneliness). In addition, the relationship of positive attitudes toward same-sex marriage and loneliness is fully mediated by ego depletion. Furthermore, this study examined the psychological processes and distresses experienced by groups with different sexual orientations in this gender equality social event, which provided more valuable information in predicting the psychological consequences of such gender equality social event. It was found that the positive attitudes of the heterosexual group toward same-sex marriage were significantly related to both depression and loneliness, while the psychological process was fully mediated by ego depletion. In conclusion, this study explored the research scope of the referendum as a social event and provided preliminary evidence for the voters’ psychological process and outcomes from a psychological perspective, providing a reference for the academia and practice.

Keywords: same-sex marriage referendum, attitudes toward same-sex marriage, ego depletion, depression, loneliness