Minority Stress as a Multidimensional Predictor of LGB plus Adolescents' Mental Health Outcomes

The minority stress model has been used to explain added daily stressors that non-heterosexual (LGB+) individuals experience. While the emphasis of minority stress research is frequently broad (global minority stress) or narrow (specific stressors) in focus, the literature often refers to specific stressors at the domain level as either distal (external) or proximal (internal). This study found that, compared with broad and narrow levels, a domain level approach may be best for understanding the predictive value of minority stress. Multiple regression analyses with a sample of 152 LGB+ adolescents found that distal stress predicted substance misuse (p < .001) and suicidality (p = .002) and was a stronger predicter than proximal stress for psychological inflexibility. This study might contribute to an evidence base that could guide measurement approaches for assessing minority stress and using related results to inform the prediction of-and, ultimately, intervention with-LGB+ adolescents' mental health outcomes.

Automated summary

The minority stress model is used to explain the additional daily stressors faced by non-heterosexual individuals. This study suggests that a domain level approach is the most effective for understanding the predictive value of minority stress. The findings indicate that distal stress is a stronger predictor of substance misuse and suicidality than proximal stress is for psychological inflexibility.