Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence.

Abstract

In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress--explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems. The model describes stress processes, including the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing, internalized homophobia, and ameliorative coping processes. This conceptual framework is the basis for the review of research evidence, suggestions for future research directions, and exploration of public policy implications.

Resilience in LGB Youths: A Systematic Review of Protection Mechanisms

“…Many young LGB do not present any disorder though. Therefore, it is important to identify the protection mechanisms that can explain their resilience (Hatzenbuehler, 2009;Meyer, 2003;Rivers & Cowie, 2006;Saewyc, 2011). Resilience refers to the "processes or patterns of positive adaptation and development in the context of significant threats to an individual's life or function" (Masten & Wright, 2010, p. 215).…”

Social-ecological factors associated with selling sex among men who have sex with men in Jamaica: results from a cross-sectional tablet-based survey

“…Internalized homophobia , feelings of shame and self-blame [40–43], may contribute to mental health challenges. Sexual stigma may limit access to education and employment, threatening economic security [5].…”

Portuguese Older Gay Men: Pathways to Family Integrity

“…Those in family disconnection tended to conceal their homosexual identity while struggling to conciliate their identity by combining being gay and men; the inner experience hiding a concealable stigma has been called a "private hell" (Meyer, 2003). In general, concealing one's stigma is used as a coping strategy, aimed at avoiding negative consequences of stigma, but it can backfire and become stressful.…”

“…Participants (family integrity and disconnection) reveal the desire to leave a legacy (even those who have no descendants), which includes their experience as gay men: being role models for younger homosexuals, and helping them in their disclosure is an altruistic intergenerational contribution by helping young gay men to find their self-identity and cope with stigmatization (Dooley, 2009). This underlines that citizens, practitioners, policymakers and researchers need to move from viewing minority group members as passive victims of prejudice to viewing them as actors who interact effectively with society (Meyer, 2003). In fact, the process of constructing family integrity seems to be a process that comes from disclosure (revealing/assuming homosexuality) to closure (using homosexuality as a legacy).…”