The Minority Stress of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Parents. Specificity of Polish Context

AbstractPrevious research on LGB parenting is dominated by comparing the LGB families to traditional families with heterosexual parents. Little is known about personal experiences of LGB parents and psychological consequences of nonheterosexual parenting in a heteronormative environment.This article presents the conceptualization of lesbian, gay and bisexual parents’ minority stress and focuses especially on it’s sources. LGB parents are considered as a multiple excluded minority group. Using a theoretical framework of minority stress (Meyer 1995) the main stressors are described with reference to parental situation: discrimination and violence, perceived stigma, self-concealment and internalized homophobia. These factors’ possible impact on psychological wellbeing is discussed on the basis of research available. The Polish sociocultural context and its potential influence of LGB parents’ stress is also described.The specificity of LGB parents’ minority stress is that it challenges the aspect of identity associated with a parental social role. The most common stressors undermine the status and quality of parent-child bond and involves the child himself/ herself. In conclusion, minority stress of LGB parents is recognized as a risk factor for decrease in mental health, but also as an opportunity for personal development based on the stress - related growth.

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Sexual Quality of Life in Homosexual and Bisexual Men: The Relative Role of Minority Stress

Journal of Sexual Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.274 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 860-871 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bartosz Grabski ◽

Krzysztof Kasparek ◽

Łukasz Müldner-Nieckowski ◽

Grzegorz Iniewicz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Relative Role ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Sexual Quality Of Life ◽

And Bisexual

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Internalized Homophobia, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Nigerian Gay and Bisexual Men

Journal of Homosexuality ◽

10.1080/00918369.2019.1600899 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (10) ◽

pp. 1447-1470 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Olakunle A. Oginni ◽

Boladale M. Mapayi ◽

Olusegun T. Afolabi ◽

Chukwubueze Obiajunwa ◽

Ibidunni O. Oloniniyi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual

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The Influence of Internalized Homophobia on Health-Related Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction Among Gay and Bisexual Men in China

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988319864775 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 155798831986477

Author(s):

Guangju Wen ◽

Lijun Zheng

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Mental Component Summary Score ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Summary Score ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual

The aim of this study was to examine the influences of internalized homophobia on Chinese gay and bisexual men’s quality of life and life satisfaction. Four hundred and eighty-three participants completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, Chinese SF-12 Health Survey Version 2, and Satisfaction With Life Scale via the Internet. Scores for quality of life in several domains and life satisfaction were significantly lower than the heterosexuals’ norm scores. The present study revealed that internalized homophobia significantly negatively correlated with the mental component summary score and life satisfaction. The mental component summary score mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and life satisfaction. Sexual orientation moderated the relationship between internalized homophobia and mental component score. Gay and bisexual men in China experience poorer quality of life and less satisfaction with life compared to heterosexuals, and internalized homophobia contributes to both.

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Relationship Quality and Domestic Violence in Women's Same-Sex Relationships: The Role of Minority Stress

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00220.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 258-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 223

Author(s):

Kimberly F. Balsam ◽

Dawn M. Szymanski

Keyword(s):

Domestic Violence ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Large Body ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Same Sex ◽

Bisexual Woman ◽

And Bisexual

Despite a large body of literature addressing relationship quality and domestic violence in women's same-sex relationships, few studies have empirically examined how stress specific to living as a lesbian or bisexual woman might correlate with these relationship variables. Degree of outness, internalized homophobia, lifetime and recent experiences of discrimination, butch/femme identity, relationship quality, and lifetime and recent experiences of domestic violence were assessed in a sample of 272 predominantly European American lesbian and bisexual women. Lesbian and bisexual women were found to be comparable on most relationship variables. In bivariate analyses, minority stress variables (internalized homophobia and discrimination) were associated with lower relationship quality and both domestic violence perpetration and victimization. Outness and butch/femme identity were largely unrelated to relationship variables. Path analysis revealed that relationship quality fully mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and recent domestic violence.

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Minority Stress and Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Atlanta

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988316677506 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 952-961 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Rob Stephenson ◽

Catherine Finneran

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Male Couples ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Sex With Men

Intimate partner violence (IPV) rates are disproportionately high among sexual minority populations. Few studies have examined the plausible relationship between minority stress and IPV among men who have sex with men. This study examines the associations between IPV and three indicators of minority stress: internalized homophobia, sexuality-based discrimination, and racism, in a large venue-based sample of gay and bisexual men from Atlanta, USA. Each of the minority stress measures was found to be significantly associated with increased odds of self-reporting any form of receipt of IPV. Significant associations were also identified between perpetration of IPV and minority stressors, with most types of IPV perpetration linked to internalized homophobia. This study confirms findings in a growing body of research supporting the relationship between minority stress and increased prevalence of IPV among men who have sex with men, and points to the need to address structural factors in IPV prevention programs for male–male couples.

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Mental health and suicidal risk in lesbian, gay and bisexual population

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.2227 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S596-S597

Author(s):

P. Azevedo ◽

J. Vitória ◽

A. Norton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Social Stress ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Suicidal Risk ◽

Increased Risk ◽

And Bisexual

IntroductionNowadays, the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community still suffers from prejudice and social stigma, including from medical professionals.Thus, it is urgent to draw attention to this population since these individuals have an increased risk of mental disorders, substance abuse and dependence, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt or complete suicide.AimsTo underline the prevalence of mental disorders and increased suicide risk in the LGB population.ObjectivesTo summarize the latest literature about this field.MethodsA brief review of the latest literature was performed on PubMed using the keywords “mental health”, “suicidal risk”, “LGB population”.ResultsLGB individuals appear to be at increased risk of mental disorders and suicidal behavior than heterosexuals. According to Meyer, they are exposed to what is called the minority stress: proximal, depending on the subject and related to fear of rejection and internalized homophobia and distal, regardless of the individual including prejudice, social stress, social exclusion (including their own families) and violence.The odds of attempting suicide are approximately 2 to 7 times higher for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals (LGBs) than for heterosexuals.ConclusionsMinority stress related to prejudice and stigma against LGB people has a significant risk that can be related to suicide ideation and attempt.The higher rate of many psychiatric conditions noted in this community underscores the need for clinicians to provide nonjudgmental care and approachable environment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Internalized homophobia, social pain, severity of depressive symptoms and quality of sexual life among homosexual young adults

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.696 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. s266-s266

Author(s):

A. Wiszniewicz ◽

E. Wojtyna

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Social Pain ◽

Cross Sectional

BackgroundBeing a homosexual may be burdened by several psychological problems. This is due to the minority stress that results from feeling excluded and it is characteristic of social minorities. Negative beliefs about their psychosexual orientation and sense of exclusion may be the cause of both depressive disorders and internalized homophobia. These factors can affect the quality of sexual life.AimThe aim of the study is to analyze the relationship between internalized homophobia, social pain and the severity of depressive symptoms and quality of sexual life.MethodsThe study included 103 young adults remaining in permanent homosexual relationships. The study was cross-sectional. The study used Beck Depression Inventory, Social Pain Thermometer, Internalized Homophobia Scale and Quality of Sexual Life Questionnaire.ResultsIt observed the significant correlations between the level of internalized homophobia and a sense of social pain and the severity of depressive symptoms. Both internalized homophobia, and severe social pain and depressive symptoms proved to be significant predictors of reduced quality of sexual life of homosexuals.ConclusionsDuring the treatment of depressive symptoms and discomfort associated with the sexual life of homosexuals, it is important to take into account the phenomenon of internalized homophobia.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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