Multilevel stigma and depression among a national sample of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents in the United States.

Abstract

Limited research has examined how multiple forms of oppression (e.g., racism, heterosexism, transphobia)-manifesting across multiple levels (e.g., interpersonal, structural)-can place Black and Latinx lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual/gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents at increased risk for internalizing psychopathology, including depression. Utilizing a national sample of 2,561 Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents (aged 13-17), we examined associations among depressive symptoms and several adolescent-focused manifestations of stigma, including: (a) interpersonal racial/ethnic bullying, (b) interpersonal sexual orientation bullying, (c) nine state-level forms of structural stigma or protection for LGBTQ+ adolescents, and (d) a new adolescent-focused composite index of state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma. Racial/ethnic bullying and sexual orientation bullying were found to be prevalent among the sample and were associated-both independently and jointly-with increased depressive symptoms. One harmful state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma indicator (i.e., anti-LGBTQ+ community attitudes) and seven protective state-level anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma indicators (e.g., conversion therapy bans) were associated with odds of depressive symptoms, in the expected directions. Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents residing in states with greater overall anti-LGBTQ+ structural stigma reported increased depressive symptoms, even when adjusting for racial/ethnic and sexual orientation bullying. Additionally, Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents living in the most stigmatizing states demonstrated 32% increased odds of depressive symptoms, as compared to those living in the most LGBTQ+ affirming states. Multilevel, intersectional interventions could have optimal effects on the mental health and resilience of Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ adolescents.

Queer and transgender joy: A daily diary qualitative study of positive identity factors among sexual and gender minority adolescents.

“…Structural policies have unique impacts on the psychosocial well-being of SGMA. For example, Black and Latinx/e adolescents living in states with high levels of anti-LGBTQ+ stigma reported a greater risk of reporting depressive symptoms (Jackson et al, 2023). States with fewer anti-LGBTQ+ policies—for example, fewer laws that restrict the right of teachers to raise SGM issues in school, alongside bans that restrict anti-bullying regulations for SGM youth—were found to be associated with greater pronoun and name use in schools for gender minority youth (Renley et al, 2022).…”

O te peinas, o te haces rolos: Intersectional discrimination, identity conflict, and mental health among Latinx sexual minoritized adults.

“…Emerging scholarship emphasizes the intersection of sexual and ethnic minority stressors as key determinants of mental health among sexual minoritized people of color (Abreu, Lefevor, et al, 2023; Jackson et al, 2023; Mallory & Russell, 2021; Mereish et al, 2022; Velez et al, 2019). The present study sought to extend prior work on the role of intersectional discrimination on identity conflict (Sarno et al, 2015, 2021) and mental health (Balsam et al, 2011; Swann et al, 2023).…”

“…Depression and anxiety are debilitating and highly comorbid mental health conditions that often result in a variety of emotional, physical, interpersonal, and occupational difficulties (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Kalin, 2020). Sexual orientation-based (i.e., heterosexist) and ethnic discrimination are associated with these negative mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other nonheterosexual (i.e., sexual minoritized) people of color across the lifespan (Jackson et al, 2023; Kim & Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2017; Sattler & Zeyen, 2021; Sun et al, 2016; Toomey et al, 2018; Velez et al, 2019). Additionally, perceptions of incompatibility or dissonance between one’s minoritized sexual and ethnic identities (i.e., identity conflict; Jackson et al, 2020; Sarno et al, 2021) may be a psychosocial contributor to mental health concerns.…”

“…Intersectionality has since been applied in research to investigate how overlapping systems of power, privilege, and oppression generate and maintain health disparities (Bauer, 2014; Moradi & Grzanka, 2017; Seng et al, 2012; Shangani et al, 2020). For example, research demonstrates that intersecting forms of heterosexism and racism are associated with worse mental health among sexual minoritized people of color from adolescence to adulthood (Mallory & Russell, 2021; McConnell et al, 2018; Mereish et al, 2022; Velez et al, 2019; Zelaya et al, 2021), including Latinx sexual minoritized people (Abreu, Lefevor, et al, 2023; Jackson et al, 2023; Layland et al, 2022; Toomey et al, 2018). However, research primarily focuses on measuring single-identity minority stressors that originate solely outside of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) or Latinx communities despite evidence of identity-based stigma from within one’s minoritized communities (Hammack et al, 2022; Jackson et al, 2020; Mata-Grave, 2018; Pachankis, Clark, et al, 2020; Shepherd et al, 2023; Swann et al, 2023).…”