Sexual Orientation and Disclosure in Relation to Psychiatric Symptoms, Diurnal Cortisol, and Allostatic Load

Abstract

LGBs did not manifest more stress-related problems than did heterosexuals. Life transitions like disclosing to one's family and friends may be protective against psychopathologies and hyperactive cortisol awakening responses. Our novel findings underline the roles disclosure processes have on positive health and well-being for sexual minorities.

Gender Atypicality and Anxiety Response to Social Interaction Stress in Homosexual and Heterosexual Men

“…It may also be the case that more resilient and less anxious individuals are more likely to come out. In one recent study including biological markers, disclosed gay men evidenced fewer self-reported psychiatric symptoms and lower awakening cortisol levels than non-disclosed gay men (Juster et al, 2013), though findings from another study showed that gay men who were more out at work suffered greater levels of negative affect and higher levels of diurnal cortisol (Huebner & Davis, 2005). Inthis study,changesinpre-topost-socialstresslevelsofcortisol did not differ between homosexual and heterosexual men nor did they vary according to gender typicality.…”

Sexual orientation and depression in Canada

“…There is supporting evidence for the novel finding of reduced prevalence of depression in gay men compared to heterosexual men and no difference in prevalence between heterosexual and bisexual men reported in a US population sample and in another recent Canadian study. 14,20 The findings reported in the Canadian study were based on a small convenience sample recruited in one location, and thus the lower prevalence of depression found may not be generalizable to the population. 14 Although lower prevalence for gay men was not repeated here, there was no significant difference found in MDE prevalence for sexual minority men compared to heterosexual men.…”

“…14,20 The findings reported in the Canadian study were based on a small convenience sample recruited in one location, and thus the lower prevalence of depression found may not be generalizable to the population. 14 Although lower prevalence for gay men was not repeated here, there was no significant difference found in MDE prevalence for sexual minority men compared to heterosexual men. With only self-identity as a measure of sexual orientation, it is not possible to determine the effect of discordance between sexual identity and sexual activity or attraction in this study to compare to findings, previously reported in Scott et al 20 and the California Quality of Life study (CQoL), 21 that heterosexually identified men with same-sex partners account for higher prevalence of depression.…”

“…There is conflicting evidence in the literature, with some reports indicating higher risk for mood disorders among sexual minority women and men, and others lower risk in sexual minority men. [12][13][14] Since depression is such a potentially disabling chronic disease, it is important to identify groups at greatest risk and particular risk factors. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between sexual orientation and depression in Canada.…”

Two Behavioral Hypotheses for the Evolution of Male Homosexuality in Humans

“…If androphilia aligns with a sneak copulation strategy in men, for example, a culture celebrating conspicuous gay pride and abstinence from heterosexual contact, while cautioning against the dishonesty of bisexuals and unidentified nonheterosexuals, would effectively disarm potential sneak copulators. The homosexual identity may act as a reputational passport, with the relief and psychological benefits of coming out (Juster et al 2013) coinciding with an escape from the obscurity and intolerance of mere nonheterosexuality, into a welcoming community of sexual refugees who promote identification and solidarity. It would not be controversial to suggest that the LGBTQ community established itself in response to the homophobic forces that perpetrate violence and discrimination against nonheterosexuals (Beachy 2014).…”