The impact of discrimination on mental health symptomatology in sexual minority immigrant Latinas.

Abstract

At a time when serious xenophobic and heterosexist sentiment is at the forefront of our country's political climate, it is incredibly important to explore and understand the links between discrimination and mental health for vulnerable communities. The purpose of this study was to carry out a preliminary exploration of the relations between acculturation to the United States (U.S.), discrimination related to ethnic minority and sexual minority statuses, and mental health symptomatology (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and substance abuse) of sexual minority women who have emigrated to the U.S. from Latin America. A total of 152 women were recruited across the continental U.S. via online and in-person recruitment methods. As hypothesized, findings revealed that increased discrimination was associated with increased symptomatology of depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. However, acculturation was not shown to be associated with mental health for this sample. Recommendations for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Experiences of Minority Stress and Mental Health Burdens of Newly Arrived LGBTQ* Refugees in Germany

“…Consistently, previous studies on the general LGBTQ* population as well as refugees after resettlement also showed heightened symptom levels of depression and anxiety (Cochran et al 2003;King et al 2008;Valentine & Shipherd 2018). While there are several studies reporting various mental health burdens in LGBTQ* refugees and immigrants (Alessi 2016;Cerezo 2016;Gowin et al 2017;Hopkinson et al 2017;Ogunbajo et al 2018;Rhodes et al 2013;Yamanis et al 2018), our study highlights the theme of subjective worsening of both discrimination experiences as well as mental distress.…”

“…Sexual minority immigrants from Central/South America or Africa living in the USA also reported high levels of mental distress such as symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse. These symptoms were associated with discrimination experiences in their countries of origin as well as in their host country, socioeconomic factors, and internalized stigma (Cerezo 2016;Ogunbajo et al 2018;Rhodes et al 2013).…”

Research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women: A global scoping review

“…Acculturation and discrimination (based on race/ethnicity, sexual identity, gender, or gender identity) were each independently and significantly associated with substance use; the association between acculturation and substance use was partially mediated by discrimination. In unadjusted analyses of data from a national convenience sample of Latina immigrant SMW, Cerezo [79] found that discrimination based on ethnic minority status and on sexual minority status were significantly associated with substance use. However, these associations were attenuated and no longer significant when adjusting for age, income, education, and acculturation.…”

Predicting PTSD severity from experiences of trauma and heterosexism in lesbian and bisexual women: A longitudinal study of cognitive mediators.

“…Second, internalized heterosexism could stem from the internalization of day-to-day experiences of discrimination as well as increased likelihood of exposure to criterion A traumas due to one’s lesbian or bisexual sexual orientation (Hatzenbuehler, 2009). These proximal stressors have been associated with greater psychological distress and increased substance use among SMW (Cerezo, 2016; Lehavot & Simoni, 2011; Szymanski & Kashubeck-West, 2008), although research on their impact on PTSD symptoms is limited. In sum, from this perspective, exposure to both minority-specific and non-minority-specific distal stressors, as well as internalization of these experiences in the form of both minority-specific and non-minority-specific proximal stressors, play a role in consequently leading to the development and maintenance of PTSD.…”