A developmentally informed adaptation of minority stress for sexual minority adolescents

Abstract

Sexual minority adolescents (lesbian, gay, bisexual) experience disparities in behavioral health outcomes compared to their heterosexual peers, generally attributed to minority stress. Although evidence of the applicability of the minority stress model among adolescents exists, it is based on a primarily adult literature. Developmental and generational differences demand further examination of minority stress to confirm its applicability. Forty-eight life history interviews with sexual minority adolescents in California (age 14–19; M=19.27 SD = 1.38; 39.6% cismale, 35.4% cisfemale, 25% other gender) were completed, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis in QSR NVivo. Following a consensus model, all transcripts were double coded. Results suggest that minority stress is appropriate for use with adolescents; however, further emphasis should be placed on social context, coping resources, and developmental processes regarding identity development. A conceptual model is provided, as are implications for research and practice.

Exploring the Mother–Adolescent Relationship as a Promotive Resource for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

“…Although these findings do not diminish the importance of LGBT communities, it is likely that these connections become more salient over time. Goldbach and Gibbs () argue for a developmentally informed adaptation of minority stress theory that accounts for stressors and supports in developmental contexts outside of the LGB community, including the family context. Similarly, Hendricks and Testa (; see also Scandurra, Amodeo, Valerio, Bochicchio, & Frost, ) recommend that minority stress theory be adapted to account for how transgender people experience and process stressors and resources differently than their LGB peers.…”

“…Intersectionality is an especially important framework in minority stress research with SMY and GMY of color because it draws attention to the ways in which social categories such as gender, sexuality, and race/ethnicity are defined, maintained, and tied to interlocking systems of oppression and privilege (Crenshaw, ). Indeed, scholars have noted that minority stress theory, which was originally based on research with predominantly White gay adults, may not capture the diversity of stressors and resources encountered by diverse sexual and gender minority groups (Goldbach & Gibbs, ; Haile, Rowell‐Cunsolo, Parker, Padilla, & Hansen, ; Hendricks & Testa, ; Testa, Habarth, Peta, Balsam, & Bockting, ). For example, the stressors faced by a White gay adult cisgender man are likely different than those faced by a young Black transgender woman who identifies as bisexual and must also deal with transphobia (Hendricks & Testa, ), adultism (Singh, ), and racism (Thoma & Huebner, ).…”

“…The original promotive resources identified in minority stress theory focused on resilience, positive coping strategies, and connections to an LGB community and LGB affirming spaces (Meyer, ), with less attention to other social and relational contexts. As a result, recent studies with SMY and GMY have proposed examining stressors and resources that reflect a wider range of developmental contexts important for young people, such as families, schools, peers, and social media (Goldbach & Gibbs, ). In general, research with SMY and GMY has defined family as (1) “family of origin,” e.g., parents, siblings, and other people related by blood or marriage, or as (2) “family of choice,” e.g., people unrelated by blood who serve a family‐like role by providing closeness, support, and mutual aid.…”

Sexual Minority Status and Adolescent Eating Behaviors, Physical Activity, and Weight Status

“…Compared to heterosexual adolescents, sexual minority adolescents do not only face common stressors related to adolescent development, but they also face unique stressors related to the development of their sexual identity and possible social rejection or victimization. 40 Although information regarding the nature of the same-sex peer relationship (romantic vs. friendship) was not available in this study, exercising with a same-sex best friend could serve as an important source of peer support for sexual minority females to deal with general and minority specific stressors related to engagement in physical activity. More research is needed to understand whether this interaction effect is specific to same-sex romantic partner versus same-sex friend, which could further guide peer-based prevention efforts.…”

Spirituality and Psychological Well-being as Buffers of Suicide Probability among Selected Young Filipino Gay Men and Lesbian Women

“…Compared to their heterosexual and gender-conforming counterparts, LGB individuals have to deal with recurrent exposure to threat, such as rejection and discrimination, because of their minority status (Cohen, Blasey, Taylor, Weiss, & Newman, 2016). Meyer as minority stress, suggesting that a range of specific and enduring psychosocial stressors affects sexual minorities leading to negative behavioral health outcomes (Cohen et al, 2016;Goldbach & Gibbs, 2017), theorized such threats to the well-being of LGB people.…”