Greater lifetime stressor exposure is associated with poorer mental health among sexual minority people of color

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that sexual minority people of color experience pervasive and sometimes severe life stressors that increase their risk of experiencing mental health problems, and that can contribute to lifelong health disparities. However, no studies in this population have investigated stressor exposure occurring over the entire lifespan. Moreover, it remains unknown whether these stressor-health effects differ based on the timing or types of stressors experienced. Purpose:The purpose of this study is to examine how cumulative lifetime stressor exposure is associated with mental health among Black, Latinx, and biracial Black-Latinx sexual minority persons. Method: Participants were 285 ethnic/racial minority young adults (M age = 25.18 years old, SD = 1.94, age range = 19-29 years), who completed the Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adults to assess for retrospective reports of lifetime stressor count and severity. The Brief Symptom Inventory was used to assess participants' symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization, which were the main outcomes. Most participants identified as

Preliminary Psychometric Evaluation of Novel Measures of Therapist Practice Related to LGBTQ+ Clients

“…LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionate mental health disparities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, psychological distress, and suicidal thoughts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Several studies have demonstrated that these adverse mental health outcomes are influenced by various factors, such as the stigma and stress that LGBTQ+ people encounter, in line with the minority stress theory [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. For example, one study by Lattanner, Pachankis, and Hatzenbuehler demonstrated strong relationships between homophobia-related stressors and depression among gay and bisexual men [ 3 ].…”

“…LGBTQ+ individuals experience disproportionate mental health disparities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, psychological distress, and suicidal thoughts [1][2][3][4]. Several studies have demonstrated that these adverse mental health outcomes are influenced by various factors, such as the stigma and stress that LGBTQ+ people encounter, in line with the minority stress theory [3][4][5][6][7][8]. For example, one study by Lattanner, Pachankis, and Hatzenbuehler demonstrated strong relationships between homophobia-related stressors and depression among gay and bisexual men [3].…”