Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence.

IH Meyer�- Psychological bulletin, 2003 - psycnet.apa.org
Psychological bulletin, 2003psycnet.apa.org
In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in
lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have
a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual
framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress-
-explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social
environment that causes mental health problems. The model describes stress processes�…
Abstract
In this article the author reviews research evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs) and shows, using meta-analyses, that LGBs have a higher prevalence of mental disorders than heterosexuals. The author offers a conceptual framework for understanding this excess in prevalence of disorder in terms of minority stress--explaining that stigma, prejudice, and discrimination create a hostile and stressful social environment that causes mental health problems. The model describes stress processes, including the experience of prejudice events, expectations of rejection, hiding and concealing, internalized homophobia, and ameliorative coping processes. This conceptual framework is the basis for the review of research evidence, suggestions for future research directions, and exploration of public policy implications.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
American Psychological Association