Minority Stress and Physical Health Among Sexual Minorities

• Published in: Perspectives on psychological science Vol. 8; no. 5; pp. 521 - 548
• Main Authors: Lick, David J., Durso, Laura E., Johnson, Kerri L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Sage Publications 01.09.2013; SAGE Publications; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Bias; Biological and medical sciences; Bisexuality; Cancer; Cardiovascular diseases; Chronic asthma; Chronic illnesses; Diabetes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health disparities; Health inequalities; Health problems; Health status; Heterosexuality; Homophobia; Homosexuality; Internalization; Mental health; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Personality. Affectivity; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Sexual orientation; Sexuality. Sexual behavior; Social experiences; Social factors; Stigma; Stress; Victimization; minority stress; health disparities; lesbian; sexual minority health; and bisexual (LGB) health; gay; Human; Homosexuality; Social Inequality; Health; Male; Review; Bisexuality; Stress; Minority; Sexuality; Woman
• ISSN: 1745-6916; 1745-6924
• DOI: 10.1177/1745691613497965

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals suffer serious mental health disparities relative to their heterosexual peers, and researchers have linked these disparities to difficult social experiences (e.g., antigay victimization) and internalized biases (e.g., internalized homophobia) that arouse stress. A recent and growing body of evidence suggests that LGB individuals also suffer physical health disparities relative to heterosexuals, ranging from poor general health status to increased risk for cancer and heightened diagnoses of cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Despite recent advances in this literature, the causes of LGB physical health problems remain relatively opaque. In this article, we review empirical findings related to LGB physical health disparities and argue that such disparities are related to the experience of minority stress—that is, stress caused by experiences with antigay stigma. In light of this minority stress model, we highlight gaps in the current literature and outline five research steps necessary for developing a comprehensive knowledge of the social determinants of LGB physical health.