Transgender and non-binary (TNB) individuals are at greater risk of mental health concerns relative to their cisgender peers due to experiences of minority stress. Thus, it is critically important to ...identify factors that may be protective and buffer the effects of minority stress. This study examined whether romantic relationship involvement and quality buffered effects of TNB minority stress on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
A large international sample (n = 1156) of TNB adults (n = 654 partnered; n = 502 single) reported on minority stress experiences, relationship status and quality, and mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation).
The effects of victimization and rejection on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were attenuated among partnered individuals. However, once relationship quality was considered, the buffering effects of relationship involvement applied only to those in more satisfying relationships; the stress-buffering effects were not observed among those in distressed relationships. Of particular importance, general interpersonal satisfaction did not act as a minority stress buffer, suggesting there may be unique stress-buffering effects of being in a satisfying romantic relationship on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
The cross-sectional nature of the current study precludes definitive conclusions regarding causation.
These findings suggest that romantic involvement may serve a stress-buffering role for TNB adults, but only when these relationships are satisfying. Our results have important theoretical and clinical implications, and further research is needed to investigate the utility of relationship interventions to buffer the effects of TNB minority stress on depressive symptoms and suicidality.
•Being partnered buffers TNB minority stress effects on depression and suicidality.•Buffering effects applied only to satisfying romantic relationships•Buffering effects most evident for interpersonal minority stressors•General interpersonal satisfaction did not buffer minority stress effects.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Minority stress theory posits that transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals exhibit greater rates of depression and suicidality due to internal (proximal) and external (distal) stressors ...related to their TGD identity. Yet, the magnitude of the relationship between minority stress processes and mental health outcomes has not been quantitatively summarized. The current research meta-analyzed the relationship between minority stress constructs and depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Results from 85 cross-sectional quantitative studies indicate that distal stress, expectations of rejection, internalized transphobia, and concealment are significantly associated with increased depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Greater effect sizes were observed for expectations of rejection and internalized transphobia when compared to distal stress and concealment. Future research on the relationship between minority stress, depression, and suicide would benefit from longitudinal designs and more diverse and representative samples of TGD individuals.
•Transgender populations exhibit high rates of depression and suicidality.•Distal gender minority stress is positively associated with depression and suicide.•Similar effects were observed for internalized transphobia and expectations of rejection.•Smaller effects were observed for concealment of gender identity.•Existing research can be improved with longitudinal designs and diverse samples.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Exposure to minority stressors specific to LGBTQ+ individuals, such as heterosexism and cissexism (or cisheterosexism) is not covered under the traditional adverse childhood experiences framework. ...This is important because childhood identity-related abuse by a parent/caregiver can lead to mental health challenges in later life through the adoption of maladaptive coping mechanisms.
The present study aimed to examine the role of cisheterosexism and expressive suppression as serial mediators in the associations between identity-related abuse and depressive symptoms and suicide behavior.
Participants included 563 LGBTQ+ identifying adults between 18 and 64 years (M = 30.02, SD = 9.05) from different regions of Spain and were recruited through social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
A serial mediation model was conducted with cisheterosexism and expressive suppression as the mediators in the associations between LGBTQ+ identity-related childhood abuse and depressive symptoms and suicide behavior.
Findings indicated a positive indirect effect of identity-related abuse on depressive symptoms through cumulative cisheterosexism (B = 0.628, p < .01), and via cumulative cisheterosexism and suppression (B = 0.146, p < .05). No significant indirect effect was found for identity-related abuse on depressive symptoms via suppression (B = 0.086). An indirect effect was found for identity-related abuse on suicide behavior via cumulative cisheterosexism (B = 0.250, p < .01).
Findings reveal that LGBTQ+ identity-related cisheterosexist experiences perpetrated by parents or caregivers are associated with harmful, long-term impacts on symptoms of depression and suicide behavior via experiences of cisheterosexism and expressive suppression.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Objective: Non-White sexual minorities experience disproportionate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adulthood discrimination, as compared to their White or heterosexual counterparts. These ...stressors lead to increased psychological distress and worsened clinical outcomes, including suicidality. Minority stress theory posits that systemic marginalization, as experienced by minoritized individuals, leads to distress. Intersectionality theory suggests that marginalization compounds over time for individuals with intersectional minority identities. Yet, the mechanisms underlying the stress proliferation process for individuals with intersectional minority identities remain largely unexamined. Method: The present study used nationally representative data of sexual minority individuals (n = 1,518, Mage = 31 years, ethnoracial minority = 38.7%, female and gender minority = 50.6%) to investigate the relations among ethnoracial minoritization, ACEs, discrimination, distress, and self-injurious/suicidal outcomes. We proposed a novel integration of minority stress, intersectionality, and stress proliferation theories. Via longitudinal mediation, we tested models of stress persistence, stress accumulation, and stress sensitization. Results: Our results confirmed disparities between White versus non-White sexual minorities on ACEs, discrimination experiences, and psychological distress. We found support for the stress persistence and the stress accumulation models, but not the stress sensitization model. Moreover, we found distress and discrimination were associated with future nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors and suicidal outcomes, highlighting the deleterious consequences of intersectional minority stress proliferation. Conclusion: Our results support our proposed theory of intersectional minority stress proliferation where ethnoracial and sexual minoritization intersect and beget disproportionate ACEs, which in turn contribute to accumulation and persistence of psychological distress and discrimination experiences in adulthood.
Public Significance Statement
Ethnoracial and sexual minoritization intersect and are associated with disproportionate childhood adversity that contributes to the persistence and accumulation of psychological distress and discrimination experiences in adulthood. This stress proliferation process has deleterious consequences including self-injurious and suicidal outcomes for individuals with intersectional minority identities.
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CEKLJ, FFLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PEFLJ, UPUK
This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS). The original scale was designed to assess the acceptance of one’s identity as an LGB person. ...We examined the reliability and validity of the translated Japanese version using data from 703 Japanese LGB people. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that the Japanese version of the LGBIS has a four-factor structure, in contrast to the eight-factor structure of the original version: negative image and affect toward LGB identity, identity centrality, identity affirmation, and identity uncertainty. Furthermore, internal consistency and test-retest correlations indicated that the scale has good reliability. The four subscales correlated with various identity-related measures. The correlations between indicators of mental health and both negative affect and affirmation about LGB identity were mostly consistent with the current theory of minority stress, which provide evidence of good validity for the Japanese version of the LGBIS. Thus, the Japanese version of the LGBIS is suitable for the assessment of identity acceptance among the Japanese LGB population.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound negative impact on the mental health of the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have increased structural ...disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ is an acronym used to identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus all community members using different terms to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed them to increased minority stress, which can also affect their physical health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the few available studies on the mental health of LGBTQ+ have reported frequent worries about the future, negative emotions, and feelings of uncertainty. Moreover, they have faced further difficulties such as undertaking hormone therapy, accessing to health facilities or living with family members not accepting their condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a significant burden to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and therefore there is the need to provide them with dedicated supportive interventions in order to promote the early detection of mental health problems or of full-blown mental disorders.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In the fields of medical and behavioral health care, there is a demonstrable scarcity of providers who possess the necessary levels of clinical and cultural competency required to serve transgender ...patients. As a result of this deficiency, many members of the transgender community engage in an avoidance of care. Among providers, there are observed deficiencies in awareness regarding specific acute and chronic health disparities experienced by members of the transgender population. We aim to demonstrate the unique and intersectional health disparities experienced by this community, to empower providers serving this community. Additionally, we endeavor to propose a range of potential clinical and political interventions and options for mobilization that providers can engage in. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
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CEKLJ, FFLJ, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, ODKLJ, OILJ, PEFLJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
For over two decades, the minority stress model has guided research on the health of sexually-diverse individuals (those who are not exclusively heterosexual) and gender-diverse individuals (those ...whose gender identity/expression differs from their birth-assigned sex/gender). According to this model, the cumulative stress caused by stigma and social marginalization fosters stress-related health problems. Yet studies linking minority stress to physical health outcomes have yielded mixed results, suggesting that something is missing from our understanding of stigma and health. Social safety may be the missing piece. Social safety refers to reliable social connection, inclusion, and protection, which are core human needs that are imperiled by stigma. The absence of social safety is just as health-consequential for stigmatized individuals as the presence of minority stress, because the chronic threat-vigilance fostered by insufficient safety has negative long-term effects on cognitive, emotional, and immunological functioning, even when exposure to minority stress is low. We argue that insufficient social safety is a primary cause of stigma-related health disparities and a key target for intervention.
•Sexually- and gender-diverse (SGD) individuals have pronounced health disparities, typically attributed to excess stress.•In addition to excess stress, SGD individuals also experience insufficient social safety.•Social safety (social connection, inclusion, and protection) are fundamental human needs.•Those without sufficient social safety experience chronic threat-vigilance, which has negative long-term health effects.•To reduce SGD health disparities, we need to reduce minority stress while also increasing social safety.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
