Minority Stress and Physical Health Among Sexual Minorities

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals suffer serious mental health disparities relative to their heterosexual peers, and researchers have linked these disparities to difficult social experiences (e.g., antigay victimization) and internalized biases (e.g., internalized homophobia) that arouse stress. A recent and growing body of evidence suggests that LGB individuals also suffer physical health disparities relative to heterosexuals, ranging from poor general health status to increased risk for cancer and heightened diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Despite recent advances in this literature, the causes of LGB physical health problems remain relatively opaque. In this article, we review empirical findings related to LGB physical health disparities and argue that such disparities are related to the experience of minority stress-that is, stress caused by experiences with antigay stigma. In light of this minority stress model, we highlight gaps in the current literature and outline five research steps necessary for developing a comprehensive knowledge of the social determinants of LGB physical health.

What Can Life Satisfaction Data Tell Us About Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities? A Structural Equation Model for Australia and the United Kingdom

“…King et al (2008), for example, report results from a metaanalysis of previous studies showing that the risks of depression and anxiety disorders, and of alcohol and substance dependence, are at least 1.5 times higher within LBG populations, and suicide attempts around twice as likely, than in heterosexual populations. Subsequent research mostly confirms this finding of marked difference in mental health disorders (e.g., Cochran and Mays, 2009;Bolton and Sareen, 2011;Chakraborty et al 2011 Research Council, 2011;Lick et al, 2013).…”

Perspectives on contemporary lesbian relationships

“…Examining the effect of sexual minority stress at the individual level is important as it has been shown to contribute to deleterious mental and physical health outcomes (e.g., Frost, Lehavot, & Meyer, 2013;Lick, Durso, & Johnson, 2013), as well as to lower relationship quality (e.g., Frost & Meyer, 2009). Notably, the conceptualization of sexual minority stress has recently been expanded to account for the way this process may operate at the couple level.…”

“I Do, I Don’t”: The Benefits and Perils of Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage in the United States—One Year Later

“…In addition to possible challenges related to intimate relationships, the inclusion of children, employment and financial stress can contribute to an increase in personal struggles. [40][41][42]. Relationships can also be violent.…”

“…Same-sex partnerships have the same stressors as opposite-sex couples and often anxieties are intensified due to LGBTQ discrimination. Some studies have found that "minority stress" and prejudice that LGBTQ individuals face have a deleterious effect on their health and relationships [41,42,[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]. The marketing campaign in favor of same-sex marriage rights depicted couples as happy, secure, loving, and carefree.…”