scholarly journals Minority Stress and Relational Mechanisms of Suicide among Sexual Minorities: Subgroup Differences in the Associations Between Heterosexist Victimization, Shame, Rejection Sensitivity, and Suicide Risk

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan H. Mereish ◽  
Jessica R. Peters ◽  
Shirley Yen
Keyword(s):  
Minority Stress ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Subgroup Differences

scholarly journals Lifecourse-varying exposure to structural stigma, minority stress reactions, and mental health among sexual minority male migrants

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A van der Star ◽  
R Bränström ◽  
J Pachankis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Internalized Homophobia ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Population Attitudes

Abstract Background Increasing evidence suggests that structural stigma (e.g., discriminatory laws, policies, and population attitudes) can give rise to minority stress reactions (i.e., rejection sensitivity, internalized homophobia, and identity concealment) to compromise sexual minorities' mental health. Yet, many sexual minorities encounter divergent structural-stigma contexts over the life course, with potentially important implications for their experience of minority stress reactions and mental health. We take advantage of sexual minority male migrants' lifecourse-varying exposures to structural stigma contexts to examine this possibility. Methods A sample of 247 sexual minority men who had migrated from 71 countries to the low-structural-stigma context of Sweden completed a survey regarding migration experiences, minority stress reactions, and mental health. This survey was linked to objective indices of structural stigma present in these men's countries of origin, diverse in terms of structural stigma. Results Country-of-origin structural stigma was significantly associated with poor mental health and this association was mediated by rejection sensitivity and internalized homophobia, but only among those who arrived to Sweden at an older age and more recently. Conclusions Prolonged exposure to high levels of structural stigma can give rise to stressful cognitive, affective, and behavioral patterns to jeopardize sexual minority men's mental health; yet, these consequences of structural stigma may wane with increased duration of exposure to more supportive structural contexts.

Working with Sexual-Minority Individuals

2010 ◽  
pp. 837-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Diamond ◽  
Molly R. Butterworth ◽  
Ritch C. Savin-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
The Family ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Oriented Research

The present chapter provides a review of some of the primary psychological issues confronting sexual minorities (i.e., individuals with same-sex attractions and relationships). Our goal is to provide a flexible set of preliminary questions that can be used to help sexual-minority clients to articulate their own idiosyncratic experiences and give voice to their own unique needs. We begin by addressing two of the most common and important clinical issues faced by sexual minorities: generalized “minority stress” and acceptance and validation from the family of origin. We then turn attention to the vast—and vastly underinvestigated—population of individuals with bisexual attractions and behavior, who actually constitute the majority of the sexual-minority population, despite having been systematically excluded from most prior research. We review the increasing body of research suggesting that individuals with bisexual patterns of attraction and behavior actually face greater mental health risks than those with exclusive same-sex attractions and behavior, and we explore potential processes and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, focusing particular attention on issues of identity development and transition over the life span. We conclude by outlining a number of areas for future clinically oriented research.

Integrating Theories of Gender and Sexuality With Deviance: The Case of Prescription Drug Misuse during Sex

2021 ◽  
pp. 089124322110098
Author(s):  
Laura C. Frizzell ◽  
Mike Vuolo ◽  
Brian C. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Drug Misuse ◽  
Identity Conflict ◽  
Prescription Drug Misuse ◽  
Sexual Identities

Social scientists have expended substantial effort to identify group patterns of deviant behavior. Yet beyond the ill-conceived treatment of sexual minorities as inherently deviant, they have rarely considered how gendered sexual identities (GSIs) shape participation in deviance. We argue for the utility of centering theories of gender and sexuality in intersectional deviance research. We demonstrate how this intentional focus on gender and sexuality provides important empirical insights while avoiding past pitfalls of stigmatizing sexual minorities. Drawing on theories of hegemonic masculinity, emphasized femininity, and minority stress together with criminological general strain theory, we demonstrate how societal expectations and constraints generate strains among GSI groups that may lead to distinctly patterned deviance, using the case of prescription drug misuse during sex. We employ thematic analysis of 120 in-depth interviews with people who misuse prescription drugs, stratified by GSI. We identify six themes highlighting distinct pathways from strain to misuse during sex for different GSI groups: intimacy management, achieving sexual freedom, regulating sexual mood, performance confidence, increased sense of control, and managing sexual identity conflict. In this article, we demonstrate the empirical and theoretical importance of centering gender and sexuality in deviance research and provide a roadmap for theoretical integration.

Hookup initiation and emotional outcomes differ across LGB young men and women

Sexualities ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 932-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J Watson ◽  
Yousef M Shahin ◽  
Miriam R Arbeit
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Casual Sex ◽  
Hooking Up ◽  
Gay Males ◽  
Emotional Outcomes ◽  
Media Applications

Research on hookups has grown to keep pace with new opportunities for initiations to engage in casual sex. However, most of the scholarship has been heteronormative, which is problematic because sexual minority (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer) individuals report unique experiences in relation to their sexual experiences and health. Through minority stress, positive youth development, and grounded theory of resiliency frameworks, we studied the initiation patterns and outcomes related to hooking up among sexual minorities. Interviews were conducted with 17 participants aged 18 to 25 ( Mage = 22) in British Columbia, Canada. We found that gay males most often used social media applications to initiate hookups; bisexual young women and lesbians were most likely to use social gatherings. Despite most scholarship focusing on risks associated with hooking up, we found that outcomes of LGB young adults were more positive than negative. By way of the minority stress and resiliency frameworks, we position hookups as potential coping mechanisms in response to sexual minority stress experiences. Stakeholders should be aware of the challenges associated with hooking up for sexual minorities.

Critical issues in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with gender and sexual minorities (GSMs)

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio A. Carvalho ◽  
Paula Castilho ◽  
Daniel Seabra ◽  
Céu Salvador ◽  
Daniel Rijo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
List Type ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Societal Structure

Abstract In a cisheteronormative culture, gender and sexual minorities (GSMs) may experience additional challenges that get in the way of a meaningful life. It is crucial that clinicians are mindful of these challenges and cognizant about the specificities of clinical work with GSMs. This article points out how societal structure interferes with mental health, and clarifies what clinicians must take into account when using affirmative cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions. Knowledge of up-to-date terminology and use of affirmative language are the first steps that contribute to clients’ experience of respect, which is paramount for the development of a good therapeutic relationship. Considering a conceptual framework of minority stress to understand vulnerability in GSM, specificities in formulation and key psychological processes are discussed. Moreover, guidelines and practical tools for intervention are presented within a CBT approach. Some reflections on therapists’ own personal biases are encouraged, in order to increase the efficacy of interventions. Key learning aims After reading this article you will be able to: (1) Recognize the uniqueness of gender and sexual minorities (GSM) stressors in broad and specific contexts, and their impact on mental health. (2) Identify the underlying key processes and specificities in therapeutic work with GSMs, from a CBT perspective. (3) Recognize the importance of a culturally sensitive approach in affirmative CBT interventions.

Minority Stress and Psychological Outcomes in Sexual Minorities: The Role of Barriers to Accessing Services

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Cronin ◽  
Christopher A. Pepping ◽  
W. Kim Halford ◽  
Anthony Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Minority Stress ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Psychological Outcomes

scholarly journals Minority stress, intra-minority stress and social anxiety: Examining an extended psychological mediation framework among sexual minority men

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Mahon ◽  
G Kiernan ◽  
P Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Rejection Sensitivity ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Lgbt Community ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Everyday Discrimination

Abstract Background Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority men (SMM) are at an increased risk of social anxiety disorder. Distal (i.e., everyday discrimination) and proximal (i.e., internalised homophobia, rejection sensitivity, concealment of sexual orientation) minority stress processes are associated with heightened social anxiety for SMM. Stressors emerging from within the sexual minority male community, termed intra-minority stress, and psychological processes that may foster resilience (i.e., a sense of coherence, connectedness to the LGBT community) are less explored in this area. This study examined potential pathways between everyday discrimination, intra-minority stress, proximal minority stressors, resilience and social anxiety. Methods Self-identified SMM (N = 255) residing in the Republic of Ireland completed an online survey containing measures of minority stress, intra-minority stress, resilience and social anxiety. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the model. Results The model yielded a good fit to the data, X2(16) = 26.61, CFI = .99, TLI = .97, RMSEA = .05, and SRMR = .03. Rejection sensitivity and a sense of coherence had a significant indirect effect in the relationships between both exogenous variables (i.e., discrimination and intra-minority stress) and social anxiety. There were no significant pathways to social anxiety involving concealment of sexual orientation, internalised homophobia or LGBT community connectedness. Conclusions For SMM, minority stress processes and intra-minority stress are important determinants of social anxiety. Our findings demonstrate that proximal minority stressors may operate differently in a social anxiety context for SMM in western European countries. A sense of coherence was an integral factor in the model and demonstrated the strongest association with social anxiety.

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