Minority Stress and Mental Health: A Review of the Literature

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations experience significant health disparities, theorized to result from LGBT specific minority stressors. The fully conceptualized Minority Stress Model was published more than 15 years ago. Minority stressors include external conditions and events, such as discrimination and victimization. Internal minority stressors include expectations of rejection and discrimination, concealment of minority identity, and internalizations of negative dominant cultural attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and values. Connection to sexual and gender minority communities is theorized to moderate the effects of minority stressors. In this integrative review, I examine two decades of research on minority stress. Based on this review, I highlight strengths and limitations of the model, and suggest next steps for moving minority stress research forward.

Automated summary

LGBT populations experience health disparities, which are theorized to result from specific minority stressors. The Minority Stress Model, published over 15 years ago, categorizes these stressors into external conditions and events, as well as internal psychological stressors. Research suggests that connection to sexual and gender minority communities can mitigate the effects of minority stress.