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Objective: The present study conducted a meta‐analysis to synthesize the associations between sexual minority stress and relationship satisfaction, as well as to examine actor and partner effects. Background: Sexual minority individuals in same‐sex couples experience various distinct and chronic stressors related to their stigmatized identities and romantic relationships, and these stressors negatively impact relationship satisfaction. Although there have been two meta‐analyses that sought to examine these influences, some fundamental questions remain unanswered. In particular, the roles of dyadic processes and different types of sexual minority stressors remain unclear. Method: A comprehensive search identified 67 studies with 147 effect sizes representing 24,542 individuals. Results: The results revealed a significant small association (r = −.100 to −.188) between sexual minority stressors and relationship satisfaction. Internalized stressors were more strongly associated with relationship satisfaction than other types of sexual minority stressors (e.g., prejudice events and concealment). Dyadic analyses demonstrated a significant actor effect of concealment, experiencing prejudice events, and internalized stressors on relationship satisfaction, with the largest effect size for concealment effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that sexual minority stressors could potentially contribute to same‐sex relational problems. They also underscore the importance of interdependence (both partners' responses as well as their interaction with sexual minority stressors). This understanding may be instrumental in shaping prevention strategies. Implications: The meta‐analysis emphasizes the nuanced impact of sexual minority stressors on same‐sex relationship satisfaction, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions. It underscores the role of dyadic processes, emphasizing the significance of both partners' responses and interactions with stressors in developing effective prevention strategies for healthier same‐sex relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Kenya experience pervasive intersectional stigma and discrimination, contributing to elevated levels of negative mental health symptoms. Grounded in the Minority Stress Model, this paper explores associations of proximal and distal minority stressors with three types of negative mental health outcomes among young HIV‐negative GBMSM (n = 63) between the ages of 19–34 who participated in a pilot trial of a sexual health intervention. Using the PHQ‐9, GAD‐7, and PC‐PTSD‐5 screening measures, levels of clinically significant symptoms were reported as follows: 15.8% depressive symptoms, 12.7% anxiety symptoms, 31.7% posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results from stepwise linear regression analyses suggest that GBMSM‐related stigma (distal stressor) was the strongest correlate for all three mental health outcomes, and concealment motivation (proximal stressor) was an additional significant correlate only in the depressive symptoms model. These findings should be viewed with caution and seen as initial observations given the small sample which limits our interpretations of the findings. Structural‐level interventions are needed to decrease GBMSM's exposure to intersectional stigma and discrimination, such as decriminalization of same‐sex sexual activity, as well as individual and group‐level interventions that assist GBMSM with improving their adaptive coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Weight bias internalization (WBI) is a robust, positive correlate of negative health outcomes; however, this evidence base primarily reflects cisgender individuals from Western cultural contexts. Gender‐diverse individuals from non‐Western cultural contexts (e.g., China) are at potentially high risk for WBI. Yet, no research has examined WBI and associated negative health consequences in this historically underrepresented population. Method: A cross‐sectional, online survey sampled Chinese gender‐diverse individuals (N = 410, Mage = 22.33 years). Variables were self‐reported, including demographics, WBI, body shame, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, physical and mental health status, and gender minority stress (e.g., internalized cisgenderism). Analyses included correlations and multiple hierarchical regressions. Results: Pearson bivariate correlations demonstrated associations between higher WBI and more eating and body image disturbances and poor physical and mental health. After adjusting for age, BMI, gender identity, and gender minority stress, higher WBI was uniquely and positively associated with higher body shame, higher body dissatisfaction, higher disordered eating, and poor physical and mental health. Notably, WBI accounted for more unique variance in eating and body image disturbances (13%–25% explained by WBI) than physical and mental health (1%–4% explained by WBI). Discussion: While replication with longitudinal and experimental designs is needed to speak to the temporal dynamics and causality, our findings identify WBI as a unique, meaningful correlate of eating and body image disturbances in Chinese gender‐diverse adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT Background Purpose Method Results Conclusion Extant literature on transgender and gender‐diverse (TGD) people living in the United States is centered on bicoastal metropolitan cities. Little is known about the health status and health‐related barriers among TGD people living in the middle of the country. Minority Stress Theory (MST) provides a framework for understanding how TGD people experience stressors that shape their health‐related experiences.To describe health‐related experiences of TGD people living in Colorado using the MST framework.The scoping review was limited to peer‐reviewed, English‐language studies published between January 2018 and November 2023. Data abstraction and synthesis were performed using Thomas and Harden's approach to thematic synthesis.Twenty‐one articles were included in the review. Seventeen (80.9%) articles were quantitative studies, two (9.5%) were qualitative, and two (9.5%) were mixed methods. Most of the participants were transfeminine and 18 years old or younger. Three themes emerged (1) TGD Coloradans experience multiple health‐related stressors, (2) these stressors contribute to poor health outcomes, and (3) overcome with coping strategies and/or social support.TGD Coloradans experience multiple stressors related to their TGD identity that shape their health‐related experiences. Nurses play a critical role in intervening in these stressors and addressing care disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisexual+ (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, queer) women experience higher rates of sexual violence (SV) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than heterosexual and lesbian women, as well as unique identity‐related minority stress. We examined between‐ and within‐person associations between bisexual minority stress and PTSD symptoms related to SV in a sample of young bisexual+ women (N = 133) who reported adult SV (Mage = 22.0 years, range: 18–25 years; 85.0% White; 99.3% cisgender). We analyzed data from four waves of data collection (baseline to 3‐month follow‐up) using multilevel models. Controlling for SV severity, there was a significant within‐person effect of antibisexual stigma from lesbian/gay people on PTSD, β = .17, p = .010, suggesting that at waves when women experienced more stigma, they also reported higher PTSD symptom levels. At the between‐person level, women who reported higher levels of antibisexual stigma from heterosexual people, β = .26, p = .043, and anticipated binegativity, β = .29, p = .005, on average across study waves also reported higher average levels of PTSD. Additionally, anticipated binegativity explained the association between average antibisexual stigma and PTSD, β = .15, p = .014, 95% CI [0.45, 4.61]. Bisexual minority stress may be associated with higher PTSD symptom severity following SV among young bisexual+ women, and the anticipation of binegativity may be a target mechanism in this association. Study findings highlight the importance of examining the joint contributions of SV and minority stress to identify novel targets for future research and practice to address PTSD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a summary of various articles and studies related to LGBTQ+ issues and mental health. The topics covered include LGBTQ+ affirmative practices and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and the Philippines. The document also explores the experiences of transgender youth in school settings, changes in transprejudice among adolescents, and the experiences of same-sex couples in Taiwan. Additionally, it discusses LGBTQ+ rights and legislation in "neutral" countries, the impact of school climate on victimization among LGBQA+ students in China, and the representation of masculinities in South African film. The document concludes with summaries on sexual health needs of rural sexual minority adolescent males in the US, gender role discrepancy and male depression in Israel, and the impact of religiosity and sexual orientation on eating disorder symptomatology in Canada. These summaries provide valuable insights into the challenges and progress in LGBTQ+ rights and mental health support in diverse global contexts. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Suicidal ideation occurs at relatively high rates among adults identifying as sexual minorities compared to those identifying as heterosexual, and minority stress is one explanation for this disparity. Minority stress is known to associate with increased suicidal ideation, but research on how minority stress associates with suicidal ideation in sexual minority adults across the adult lifespan is lacking. Methods: Data were collected online from 284 sexual minority adults ranging in age from 18 to 85. Participants were recruited from Prolific and completed self‐report measures assessing past‐month suicidal ideation and multiple sexual minority stressors. Results: The minority stressors of acceptance concerns, concealment motivation, and difficulty processing one's identity were positively correlated with likelihood of past‐month suicidal deation. Age moderated the relationship between two minority stressors and suicidal ideation: identity uncertainty and internalized homonegativity. These relationships were only significant among older adults, compared to middle‐age and younger adults. Conclusion: Specific internalized minority stressors about one's sexual identity were significantly associated with past‐month suicidal ideation for older adults. More research is needed on how minority stress impacts recent suicidal ideation for sexual minority adults across the lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Materials and methods Results Discussion and conclusions There are limited data on pelvic pain among transgender men and gender diverse people, and the impact of testosterone on pelvic pain is poorly understood.Characterize the prevalence and correlates of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) among transgender men and gender diverse people and examine the association between testosterone use and CPP.We used 2020–2022 data from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study, an online prospective cohort study of sexual and gender minority adults in the United States, to conduct complementary cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses. Our primary outcome was self‐reported CPP lasting 3 months or longer measured using the Michigan Body Map.Among 2579 transgender men and gender diverse people assigned female at birth included in our sample, 457 (18%) reported CPP. CPP correlates included: inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), kidney stones, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, current hormonal intrauterine device use, prior pregnancy, vaginal delivery, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy. Individuals with CPP reported a high prevalence of IBS (37%), PCOS (20%), uterine fibroids (9%), post‐traumatic stress disorder (51%), and severe depression and anxiety symptoms (42% and 25%, respectively). Current testosterone use was associated with a 21% lower prevalence of CPP (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–0.96). In longitudinal analyses (N = 79), 15 (19%) participants reported any CPP after initiating testosterone: eight (56%) of whom reported CPP prior to testosterone initiation, and seven (47%) who reported new‐onset CPP.The relationship between CPP and testosterone is complex. Although testosterone use was associated with a lower prevalence of CPP, some transgender and gender diverse individuals experienced new‐onset pelvic pain after testosterone initiation. Given the significant impact that CPP can have on mental health and quality of life, future research must examine the role of testosterone in specific underlying etiologies of CPP and identify potential therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resettlement to a new country is a period of adjustment for all youth refugees, especially for highly traumatized groups of refugees, such as the Yazidi population. This study explores adjustment challenges faced by Yazidi youth refugees in Canada using group concept mapping. 12 Yazidi youth participated. Seven concepts represent the statements, including family stress and adjustment, the experience of instability and fear, navigating the differences between countries, starting over, getting used to school, the impact of war and my discomfort. The findings from this study were compared and contrasted with the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: High levels of HIV stigma as well as stigma directed towards sexual and/or gender minorities (SGMs) are well documented in the African setting. These intersecting stigmas impede psychosocial wellbeing and HIV prevention and care. Yet, there are few if any evidence‐based interventions that focus on reducing internalized stigma and promoting mental health and HIV wellness for SGMs in Africa. We developed and evaluated a group‐based intervention drawing on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) at risk for or living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: The intervention comprised four weekly in‐person group sessions facilitated by community health workers. We conducted a delayed intervention group randomized controlled trial (April−September 2022), with pre‐post surveys plus 3‐month follow‐up (immediate group only), as well as qualitative research with participants and programme staff. Outcomes included internalized stigma related to SGM and HIV status, depression, resiliency/coping and pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)/HIV treatment use. Results: Mean age of the 240 participants was 26 years (range 18−42). Seventy‐seven percent self‐identified as MSM and 23% TGW; 27% were people with HIV. Most (88%) participants attended all four sessions, and 98% expressed high intervention satisfaction. There was significant pre‐post improvement in each psychosocial outcome, in both the immediate and delayed arms. There were further positive changes for the immediate intervention group by 3‐month follow‐up (e.g. in intersectional internalized stigma, depression). While baseline levels of ever‐PrEP use were the same, 75% of immediate‐group participants reported currently using PrEP at 3 months post‐intervention versus 53% of delayed‐group participants right after the intervention (p<0.01). Participants post‐intervention described (in qualitative interviews) less self‐blame, and enhanced social support and resilience when facing stigma, as well as motivation to use PrEP, and indicated that positive pre‐intervention changes in psychosocial factors found in the delayed group mainly reflected perceived support from the study interviewers. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a group‐based CBT model for MSM and TGW in Nigeria. There were also some indications of positive shifts related to stigma, mental health and PrEP, despite issues with maintaining the randomized design in this challenging environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual minority populations are at elevated risk for substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUD) compared to heterosexual populations. These disparities are theorized to be amplified for rural sexual minority populations due to their increased exposure to minority stress and reduced access to sexual minority communities. However, there is a lack of research examining differences in SU disparities affecting sexual minority populations by urbanicity, and little research has examined differences in SUD treatment utilization by sexual minority status or urbanicity. Methods: We utilized data from 2015 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to examine disparities in SU, SUD, SUD treatment utilization, and unmet SUD treatment need between sexual minority and heterosexual populations and test whether such disparities vary by urbanicity. Results: Results indicate that disparities in SU and SUD affecting sexual minority populations generalize across urbanicities. A subset of disparities differed by urbanicity, and the direction of these differences varied, with some disparities being stronger in urban than rural populations and vice versa. Despite elevated treatment utilization among some sexual minority groups, disparities in unmet SUD treatment need were prevalent across urbanicities and sexual identity groups. Conclusions: Study findings highlight the ubiquity of disparities in SU, SUD, and unmet SUD treatment need affecting rural and urban sexual minority populations, while also demonstrating nuanced differences in disparities by urbanicity. The persistence of disparities in unmet SUD treatment need emphasizes the need for future research to identify factors contributing to this disparity and for policies that alleviate these disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to gender‐related minority stressors, the negative experiences and beliefs that stem from anti‐trans stigma increases transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people's vulnerability to experiencing poor mental health outcomes. This study examined if the relationships between experiences of minority stress and mental health outcomes were mediated by early maladaptive schemas: mental representations shaping the way people view themselves, others and the world. Drawing from a schema therapy perspective, the study additionally examined if caregivers' failure to meet TGD people's core emotional needs was associated with mental health outcomes and if schemas similarly mediated these relationships. A total of 619 TGD adults completed an online survey about early maladaptive schemas, core emotional needs, gender‐related minority stress and psychological distress and wellbeing. Causal mediation analyses indicated that caregivers who did not meet TGD people's core emotional needs and greater experiences of minority stress were associated with increased distress and lower wellbeing. These relationships were mediated by schema severity, particularly the disconnection and rejection and impaired autonomy domains. These findings provide empirical support for the schema therapy model's assumption that unmet core emotional needs are associated with schema formation. For TGD people, maladaptive beliefs about the self, others and world can form in response to manifestations of anti‐trans stigma within the individual, their interpersonal relationships, community and broader society. Caregivers' failure to meet needs, plus experiences of minority stress throughout the individual's system, leads to greater distress and lower wellbeing; however, clinical interventions targeting schemas may improve outcomes for this at‐risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complex PTSD is a recent addition to the ICD‐11 diagnostic system. Aims: This case study describes the delivery of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation and Narrative Therapy (SNT), a flexible, multi‐component therapy that addresses the symptoms of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. SNT balances interventions that address current‐day stressors with those that reappraise the meaning of traumatic past events. This paper outlines 16 sessions of SNT with a 55‐year‐old gay man. Discussion: The case analysis describes the ways in which SNT is relevant and effective in addressing the client's mulitple concerns. The skills work helped the client effectively manage ongoing minority stress, discrimination, and micro‐aggressions related to his identity as a gay man. Review and re‐appraisal of his traumatic memories, which focused on the sudden death of his partner from AIDS along with discussion of events from his childhood that shaped his reactions to this loss, allowed the client to create a more integrated sense of self as well as a more compassionate view of himself. Implications regarding the relevance of SNT for sexual and gender minority individuals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of health equity research on sexual orientation and race, particularly in relation to pregnancy and childbearing health among LGBTQ+ populations. It emphasizes the need for a strength-based perspective that goes beyond defining marginalized groups solely in terms of health risks. The article also explores the role of theory, specifically intersectionality, in guiding disparities research and promoting more equity-oriented analyses and interpretations. It critiques certain research practices, such as defining comparators and referent groups, that may reinforce othering and the privileging of certain identities. The authors propose alternative approaches, including descriptive epidemiology and centering at the intersections, to better understand and address health inequities. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of intersectional mentoring for women in medicine. It highlights the need to address the systemic barriers that prevent women from diverse backgrounds from benefiting from traditional mentoring models. The article emphasizes the underrepresentation of women in medical leadership roles and the impact of gender differences on career progression. It suggests that intentional same-gender mentorship and intersectional approaches can attract more women to male-dominated specialties, provide meaningful role modeling, and address sensitive topics such as sexism and sexual harassment. The article concludes with recommendations for improving intersectional mentoring programs, including increased awareness of systemic exclusion, showcasing potential mentors from minority backgrounds, challenging disparities in support, and providing incentives for mentoring efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Although research has documented the marked disparities in rates of psychosis‐spectrum diagnoses in various socially marginalized populations, there is limited research addressing the needs of gender expansive individuals in the context of psychosis‐spectrum illnesses using a minority stress lens. As clinical high‐risk for psychosis (CHR‐p) assessment and treatment becomes accessible to increasingly diverse populations, there is a need for clinicians to demonstrate greater clinical competency working with individuals across diverse social backgrounds and identities. Methods: We examined rates of gender expansive (GE) patients seeking evaluation at an urban‐based CHR‐p clinic and compared the diagnostic profile of GE individuals to cisgender patients. Post‐hoc analyses were conducted on clinical variables with significant differences between the cisgender and GE groups. Results: The proportion of GE patients seeking evaluation increased from 2017 (9.3%) to 2021 (16.7%). Compared to cisgender youth, GE patients had significantly higher depressive, social anxiety, borderline personality disorder symptoms, higher levels of suicidality and non‐suicidal self‐injurious behaviour, and lower role functioning. Gender identity was predictive of suicidality controlling for social anxiety, borderline symptoms, and role functioning. Conclusions: We review implications for CHR‐p treatment and discuss ways to integrate minority stress theory and gender‐affirming practices into coordinated specialty care for CHR‐p patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the increased risk for eating disorders (EDs) among sexual minority (SM) individuals, no ED treatments exist specifically for this population. SM stress and appearance‐based pressures may initiate and/or maintain ED symptoms in SM individuals; thus, incorporating strategies to reduce SM stressors into existing treatments may help address SM individuals' increased ED risk. This mixed‐methods study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE)—a novel ED treatment for SM individuals. Methods: N = 14 SM individuals with an ED diagnosis received 14 weekly sessions integrating Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for EDs (CBT‐E) with techniques and principles of SM‐affirmative CBT developed to address SM stressors. Participants completed qualitative interviews and assessments of ED symptoms and SM stress reactions at baseline (pretreatment), posttreatment, and 1‐month follow‐up. Results: Supporting feasibility, 12 of the 14 (85.7%) enrolled participants completed treatment, and qualitative and quantitative data supported PRIDE's acceptability (quantitative rating = 3.73/4). By 1‐month follow‐up, 75% of the sample was fully remitted from an ED diagnosis. Preliminary efficacy results suggested large and significant improvements in ED symptoms, clinical impairment, and body dissatisfaction, significant medium‐large improvements in internalized stigma and nonsignificant small‐medium effects of sexual orientation concealment. Discussion: Initial results support the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of PRIDE, an ED treatment developed to address SM stressors. Future research should evaluate PRIDE in a larger sample, compare it to an active control condition, and explore whether reductions in SM stress reactions explain reductions in ED symptoms. Public Significance: This study evaluated a treatment for SM individuals with EDs that integrated empirically supported ED treatment with SM‐affirmative treatment in a case series. Results support that this treatment was well‐accepted by participants and was associated with improvements in ED symptoms and minority stress outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex, sexuality, and gender diversity is understudied and underserved in neurology. Neurology research inclusive of LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) people is limited. Existing research struggles with a paucity of neurology studies collecting sex, sexuality, and gender diverse (SSGD) data, conflation of sex and gender, lack of precision in measures, neglect of younger and older populations, nebulous benefit to community, and absent intersectionality. Future directions in SSGD neurology research include precise and community‐based measurements, respect for LGBTQIA+ colleagues, and the application of minority stress models. All patients stand to benefit from research that elucidates how SSGD variables influence neurological health. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:421–431 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prevalence and types of psychosocial complications of juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS), also known as morphea, an inflammatory and sclerosing disease involving the skin, fascia, muscle, and bone, are poorly understood. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature published between 2000 and 2020 in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Skin Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature using the search terms "scleroderma, localized," "Morphea," "anxiety," "depression," "resilience," "social stigma," "quality of life," "mood," or "stress" and limited the search to pediatric patients and English language. Patient demographics, characteristics of JLS, and comorbidities were extracted. The outcomes included measures of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), psychosocial functioning, evaluation of self‐perception, and the treatment burden of the study population. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021257124). Thematic synthesis generated descriptive analysis. Results: Thirteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: three retrospective cohort studies, two prospective cohort studies, and eight cross‐sectional studies. A total of 690 pediatric patients with JLS were included (n = 484 with linear scleroderma). Six studies used the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index, reporting little to no effect on HRQoL. One study used the Health‐Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents Questionnaire and did not find differences between children with JLS or atopic dermatitis and healthy controls. One study used a self‐perception questionnaire that showed normal self‐worth of patients with JLS. Two studies used focus groups, both reporting elevated levels of stress, decreased self‐worth, "feeling different," and bullying/teasing in patients with JLS. These emotions were associated with skin symptoms (pain, itch, and tightness), physical limitations, and treatment burden. Conclusion: Overall, quantitative studies did not report a statistically significant impairment in HRQoL in JLS. However, qualitative studies (focus groups) reported significant psychosocial impacts related to JLS. There is a need to develop a JLS‐specific tool for the HRQoL evaluation of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Population‐level, nationally representative data on the prevalence of minority stressors and traumatic events, mental ill‐health effects, and the preventative utility of school climate, among gender and sexuality diverse young people in Australia, is significantly lacking. In this study, we estimated the prevalence and distribution of minority stressors and traumatic events among young people by sexuality identity (gay/lesbian, bisexual, other sexuality, heterosexual), sexuality diversity (sexuality diverse, not sexuality diverse), and gender identity (transgender, cisgender) and assessed associations with mental ill‐health and the moderating role of school climate factors. Methods: Using Wave 8 (2018) follow‐up data from a population‐level, nationally representative longitudinal cohort study, the sample comprised 3037 young people aged 17–19 years in Australia. Prevalence ratios for minority stressors and traumatic events were calculated for gender and sexuality diverse categories using logistic regression models. Linear regression models were used to test associations between traumatic events and minority stressors, and mental ill‐health. Multivariate linear regression tested school climate factors as effect modifier between minority stressors and mental ill‐health among sexuality diverse young people. Results: Rates of traumatic events and minority stressors were highest among bisexual and gay/lesbian young people and were significantly associated with mental ill‐health among all gender and sexuality diverse young people. Highest mental ill‐health effects were observed among trans young people. Among sexuality diverse young people, positive and negative feelings toward school climate were associated with decreased and increased mental ill‐health, respectively. After accounting for sexuality diversity, positive overall school climate appeared protective of mental ill‐health effects of sexuality‐based discrimination. Discussion: Minority stressors, traumatic events, and associated mental ill‐health are prevalent among gender and sexuality diverse young people in Australia, especially trans, bisexual, and gay/lesbian young people. Promotion of affirmative, safe, and inclusive school climate demonstrates significant promise for the prevention and early intervention of mental ill‐health among gender and sexuality diverse young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Limited research incorporates an intersectional approach when evaluating disordered eating behaviors among those holding minoritized social positions, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, and/or transgender/gender diverse (LGBTQ) adolescents. The current study assessed stigma experiences from peers at school, self‐esteem, LGBTQ pride, and overlapping social positions as they relate to disordered eating behaviors among LGBTQ adolescents. Method: Participants included 11,083 adolescents (Mage = 15.6, SD = 1.3; 34.8% transgender/gender diverse) from a large national survey study of LGBTQ adolescents from 2017. Exhaustive Chi‐square Automatic Interaction Detection analysis was used to identify bias‐based bullying experiences (i.e., weight‐based, identity‐based), self‐esteem, LGBTQ pride, and overlapping social positions (i.e., gender identity, sexual identity, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) percentile) associated with the highest prevalence of unhealthy weight control behaviors, extreme unhealthy weight control behaviors, and past year binge eating. Results: Adolescents in the 28 identified groups with a high prevalence of disordered eating behavior held at least one structurally marginalized social position (e.g., high BMI), bias‐based bullying experience, low self‐esteem, or low LGBTQ pride in addition to being LGBTQ. Weight‐based bullying was a salient risk‐factor for disordered eating across social positions. Among adolescents with the same social positions, levels of self‐esteem, LGBTQ pride, but no bias‐based bullying experience, prevalence estimates of disordered eating were, on average, 23% lower. Discussion: LGBTQ adolescents with multiple marginalized social positions and related factors engage in disproportionately high prevalence disordered eating. Findings underscore the importance of addressing intersecting experiences of stigma to reduce disordered eating and promote health equity among adolescents. Public significance: Multiply marginalized LGBTQ adolescents, most of whom also reported experiencing bias‐based bullying from peers at school, reported disproportionately high prevalence disordered eating. In comparison groups of adolescents with no bias‐based bullying experience, prevalence of disordered eating was, on average, 24% lower. Findings underscore the importance of addressing intersecting experiences of stigma to reduce disordered eating and promote health equity among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning (LGBTQ+) are at greater risk of poorer COVID‐19 prognosis due to higher levels of chronic disease and a greater impact on mental health from pandemic mitigation strategies due to worse pre‐pandemic mental health. We examine how a hostile social system contributes to LGBTQ+ people's negative health experiences during the pandemic through adopting a syndemic framework and using data from The Queerantine Study, a cross‐sectional, web‐based survey (n = 515). Identification of a health syndemic is based on depressive symptoms, perceived stress and limiting long‐term illness. We used Latent Class Analysis to identify latent classes based on experiences of a hostile social system. A syndemic was identified among a third of respondents (33.2%), with transgender/gender‐diverse and younger participants at higher risk. Latent Class Analysis identified five groups based on experiences of hostile social systems using psychosocial and socioeconomic indicators. Classes reflecting psychosocial hostility were predictive of a health syndemic and worsening health. This study emphasises (i) mental and physical health issues are intertwined among LGBTQ+ people; (ii) experiences of hostile social systems can account for part of variation in health across LGBTQ+ groups; (iii) that psychosocial hostility continued and was exacerbated throughout the pandemic, and (iv) experiences of psychosocial hostility in particular were associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing a syndemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low self‐esteem can impair daily functioning and is a risk or maintenance factor for several mental health problems. Sexual minority young adults, for example, those identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, on average have lower self‐esteem than their heterosexual peers. Compassion‐based interventions for low self‐esteem might be especially beneficial for sexual minority young adults, whose higher levels of shame and self‐criticism are likely to be contributing to maintenance of their low self‐esteem. This study explored the acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a new compassion‐based cognitive behavioural intervention for low self‐esteem tailored to sexual minority young adults. Participants were a community sample of 24 sexual minority young adults aged 16–24 experiencing clinically significant low self‐esteem. An uncontrolled pre‐/post‐design was used with qualitative feedback and quantitative outcomes. Self‐report standardised measures were completed at baseline, pre‐intervention, intervention mid‐point, post‐intervention and 2‐month follow up. Preliminary efficacy was examined through post‐intervention changes in self‐esteem, functioning, anxiety and depression. Potential mechanisms of change were examined through changes in self‐compassion, self‐criticism and unhelpful coping responses to minority stress. Results showed good acceptability and feasibility and preliminary evidence of intervention efficacy for improving self‐esteem, functioning, depression and anxiety. There was evidence for improvement in self‐compassion and reduction in self‐criticism, and these constructs could be investigated in future studies as treatment mediators. Randomised controlled studies are needed to further examine efficacy of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory and research indicate that experiences of sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus (LGBTQ+) individuals are related to a variety of negative health outcomes. Because positive romantic relationships promote better physical and mental health outcomes, understanding factors that contribute positively or negatively to relationship functioning is necessary to improve relationships and promote physical and mental health. As such, the primary goals of the present study were to conduct a meta‐analysis on the association between SGM stress and (1) relationship functioning and (2) substance use, a well‐established predictor of relationship functioning. We used multivariate meta‐analysis with robust variance estimation to summarize the effects. Across 304 effects from 73 studies, we found a significant negative association between SGM stress and relationship functioning, r = −.13, 95% CI [−0.16, −0.10]. We also found significant positive associations between SGM stress and alcohol use r =.08, 95% CI [0.06, 0.11], and drug use r =.09, 95% CI [0.05, 0.13]. These small, but significant, relations are interpreted to indicate that SGM stress could erode relationship functioning and, in turn, weaken its potential protective effects against negative health outcomes, although longitudinal studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant research has shown that sexual violence disproportionately affects lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals, conferring risk for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and related mental health conditions. However, little research has focused on specific vulnerabilities among LGBTQ+‐identified sexual assault (SA) survivors (e.g., minority stress) and their associations with post‐SA psychopathology. To address this gap, we examined associations between experiences of minority stress and post‐SA psychopathology in a sample of LGBTQ+ individuals who experienced SA (N = 92) and completed a battery of self‐report measures. Results revealed significant differences in internalized stigma, community connectedness, alcohol use, and cannabis use across sexual orientation and gender modality groups, ηp2 =.08–11. Additionally, regression analyses indicated that experiences of violence and victimization were significantly associated with higher PTSS, β =.31, p =.020; anxiety, β =.39, p =.003; and alcohol use severity, β =.31, p =.027, over and above other experiences of minority stress and psychopathology risk factors. Internalized stigma was significantly associated with cannabis use severity, β =.34, p =.011. Finally, community connectedness was significantly associated with lower anxiety symptom severity, β = −.42, p =.001. Although longitudinal work is needed, findings indicate that experiences of minority stress may serve as risk or maintenance factors for post‐SA psychopathology. These results offer important considerations for future treatment approaches tailored to LGBTQ+ survivors of SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We included two sacrifice constructs to reflect the awareness and (in)equity of behavioral sacrifice in same‐sex relationships: (a) the receiver's awareness (whether the receiver under‐, over‐, or unbiasedly estimated the other's frequency of sacrifice behaviors) and (b) the provider's perceived (in)equity (whether the provider perceived themselves as underbenefitted, overbenefitted, or equitably treated). We then tested how heterosexist discrimination related to same‐sex couples' relationship quality via receivers' awareness and providers' perceived (in)equity. Background: Sacrifices are pro‐relationship efforts in which individuals forgo self‐interests for the partner or the relationship. The links from sacrifice to same‐sex couples' relationship quality are still understudied. Further, no study has examined whether sexual minority stressors relate to sacrifice in same‐sex relationships. Method: We used dyadic, survey data from 141 same‐sex couples and conducted actor–partner interdependence models. Results: For receivers' awareness, unbiased estimation and overestimation were related to higher relationship quality; underestimation was related to lower relationship quality. For providers' perceived (in)equity, being underbenefitted—a situation in which individuals perceived that the other made fewer sacrifices than they did—was related to lower relationship quality. For indirect pathways, when one individual encountered heterosexist discrimination, this individual's sacrifice was likely underestimated by the receiver; in turn, this individual's partner experienced low relationship quality. Conclusions: To better understand sacrifice and relationship quality for same‐sex couples, heterosexist discrimination should be considered. Implications: Interventions are needed when practitioners work with same‐sex couples who feel that their sacrifices were underestimated, and efforts are still needed to reduce heterosexist discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two decades have passed since Ilan Meyer first published the minority stress theory (MST) model. Since then, scholars have used MST extensively to expand the field's understanding of LGBTQ+ populations' experiences with stress and mental health. To better represent these experiences, scholars have combined MST with other theories in empirical articles, but a theoretical model has yet to be proposed that unifies this work. In the current paper, we seek to acknowledge and extend this work by proposing a Temporal Intersectional Minority Stress (TIMS) model. The TIMS model incorporates Intersectionality and historical, generational, and developmental time from Life Course Theory to account for the sociopolitical and cultural changes that have occurred since the creation of the original MST model. We hope this model will help extend work related to minority stress, and we invite further theoretical development to occur using this model as a new framework for scholars to consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent with the minority stress perspective, lesbian/gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals on average report worse health than heterosexual individuals in several domains, for example, general health, mental health, physical health, and healthcare access. Intersectionality‐based research shows that LGBT people of color (POC) are, on average, at even greater risk for adverse health outcomes. Discrimination and social cohesion may be two mechanisms underlying these between‐ and within‐group disparities, given that both constructs are frequently reported within marginalized populations, and that both broadly relate to health. This study used data from the Chicago Department of Public Health to examine broad health differences between White LGBT and LGBT POC, and to test specific models in which social cohesion mediated links between discrimination and health. LGBT POC reported experiencing worse general health, lower access to health care, more experiences of discrimination, and lower feelings of social cohesion than did White LGBT individuals. No mediation effects emerged; however, there was a direct effect of experiencing discrimination on mental health distress. Discrimination exposure inversely related to the feelings of social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) people are becoming foster parents in several western countries. The LGBTQ perspective on the child welfare system has received little attention in practice, research and policy. Despite their increased rights, LGBTQ foster parents continue to face challenges related to fostering. Knowledge is needed on LGBTQ individual perceptions of the process of becoming foster parents, including barriers and facilitating factors. This paper reports on the experiences of 13 gay or lesbian foster parents in Norway. The study shows a lack of knowledge about the possibility of becoming foster parents due to lack of information directed at them as a minority group. Participants felt vulnerable and experienced "minority stress" before encountering the child welfare system, while mainly experienced the encounter with the staff as good and respectful. Although several valued being treated "like everyone else" by the system, others questioned why LGBTQ‐specific parenting issues were not raised and discussed. Apart from lack of information, the process towards foster parenting seemed mostly hampered by participants' own assumptions that sexual identity would be a barrier and to some extent biological parents' refusal. The study suggests that foster care and child welfare services would benefit from information in recruitment of foster parents, aiming at being more inclusive. Furthermore, we address gender and sexuality diversity related to foster care work and highlight the strengths and challenges it may offer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stressors of the global COVID‐19 pandemic have led to an increased need for support. For adults, romantic relationships often represent an environment of emotional support and stability; as such, attitudes toward—and particularly the importance of—romantic relationships may have shifted as a result of the pandemic. The present cross‐sectional study explores how U.S. transgender (n = 99) and cisgender people (n = 1886) report whether they have perceived a change in their feelings about the importance of long‐term romantic structures (i.e., committed relationships, monogamy, cohabiting with a romantic partner, and marriage) as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results found that transgender people reported a more positive perceived change in importance placed on all four romantic items relative to cisgender people. Different forms of stress (e.g., social, financial, health) associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic may have contributed to an increased need, and subsequent desire, for social connection and support in the form of romantic relationships among transgender individuals to a greater extent than cisgender individuals, perhaps in part due to the additional layers of stress transgender people must navigate. Results are discussed through the lens of the minority stress framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner aggression (IPA) is high among gay, bisexual, queer, and other sexual minority men (SMM), and is strongly linked to minority stress. These links might be further magnified or buffered by communication between partners (i.e., negative and positive communication, respectively). The present study investigated associations of minority stress and IPA, and the moderating role of positive/negative communication, among male couples (N = 932 individuals, 466 couples). Partners completed measures of communication skills, minority stress, and IPA, which were analyzed using moderated actor‐partner interdependence models. Results suggested that microaggressions increase one's own (i.e., an actor effect) and one's partner's (i.e., a partner effect) verbal IPA victimization, verbal IPA perpetration, and physical IPA victimization. Positive communication moderated the association between microaggressions and verbal IPA victimization, suggesting that high levels of positive communication may buffer the microaggression‐verbal IPA link. Thus, minority stress' detrimental impacts on relationship functioning among male same‐sex couples may be reduced by the presence of positive communication (e.g., effective conflict resolution). We discuss structural and clinical innovations to prevent IPA among male couples, with particular emphasis on the absence of positive communication as an aggravating factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research sought to identify differences in perceived stress and personal resilience across gender, race, and different types of stressors (such as rent or mortgage stress) among a sample of United States residents experiencing the COVID‐19 pandemic. It used a cross‐sectional, convenience sampling design for primary survey data collected over 10 weeks starting in April 2020 (n=374). Independent t‐tests and binary logistic regression were performed to determine statistically significant differences between gender and race for perceived stress and personal resilience and to pinpoint key contributing factors. Results indicate women exhibited higher levels of stress, with non‐IPV (intimate partner violence) reporting women evidencing higher levels of resilience than IPV reporting women. Racial minority women were more likely to experience nutritional stress, whereas White women were more likely to worry about rent or mortgage stress. These findings provide insight into disparate impacts across vulnerable populations at the start of a crisis with implications for improving pre‐ and post‐disaster interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ethnic and ethnolinguistic discrimination, and Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to being Indigenous as well as different aspects of acculturative stress, are associated with poorer health and higher levels of depression among the Nahua Indigenous communities. Materials and methods: Our quantitative survey was carried out in four different regions inhabited by the Nahua people in Mexico. Self‐rated health and depression, the symptoms of PTSD, two facets of acculturative stress and ethnolinguistic discrimination were assessed by questionnaires. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression models. Results: The symptoms of PTSD and acculturative stress experienced in the workplace were significantly associated with a higher risk of poor self‐rated health, adjusted for various socio‐demographic characteristics. Acculturative stress, discouragement of language use, language avoidance and ethnolinguistic discrimination were related to a higher risk of depression and PTSD. Discussion: Our research implies that ethnic and linguistic discrimination, acculturative stress and the memory of harm linked to being Indigenous reflected in the symptoms of PTSD, are important predictors of poorer health and depression among Nahua groups in Mexico. These adverse effects could be significantly counteracted by effective dealing with stigmatization and discrimination against Indigenous people in Mexico and by replacing strong assimilation pressures with integrational approaches that respect ethnolinguistic diversity and reduce socioeconomic marginalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study estimates the frequency of cost‐related oral health service avoidance (CROHSA) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Canada relative to heterosexual persons. Methods: Heterosexual and sexual minority individuals in Canada were compared using the national probability‐based Canadian Community Health Survey 2017–2018. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between LGB status and CROHSA. Mediators were tested following Andersen's behavioral model of health service utilization and included partnership status, oral health status, presence of dental pain, educational attainment, insurance status, smoking status, general health status, and personal income. Results: From our sample of 103,216 individuals, 34.8% of LGB individuals reported avoiding oral health care due to cost compared to 22.7% of heterosexual persons. Disparities were most pronounced among bisexual individuals (odds ratio [OR] 2.29 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42, 3.49). Disparities persisted despite adjustment for confounding using age, gender/sex, and ethnicity (OR 2.23 95% CI 1.42, 3.49). Disparities were fully mediated by eight hypothesized mediators namely, educational attainment, smoking status, partnership status, income, insurance status, oral health status, and the presence of dental pain (OR 1.69 95% CI 0.94, 3.03). In contrast, lesbian/gay individuals did not have elevated odds of experiencing CROHSA compared to heterosexual individuals (OR 1.27 95% CI 0.84, 1.92). Conclusion: CROHSA is elevated for bisexual individuals relative to heterosexual individuals. Targeted interventions should be explored to improve oral healthcare access among this population. Future research should assess the role of minority stress and social safety on oral health inequities among sexual minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) asylum seekers are exposed to high rates of persecution. This study aimed to identify the forms of ill treatment and the impact of these experiences on the mental health of 66 self‐identified LGBTQ+ asylum seekers from 24 nations through the analysis of human rights program intakes, sworn declarations, and pro bono forensic psychological evaluation affidavits. The results indicate that participants experienced physical assault (92.4%), harassment and intimidation (84.8%), and sexual assault (56.1%). Psychological sequelae included symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 83.3%), depression (72.7%), and anxiety (57.6%). LGBTQ+ asylum seekers faced additional hazards upon arrival in the United States. Still, these asylum seekers experienced resilience as they leveraged internal and external support. The results can serve to inform clinical professionals about the range and impact of exposures to harm experienced by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers as well as possible strategies for support and advocacy for this diverse community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Psychological Mediation Framework theorizes that repetitive negative thinking (RNT) mediates the relationship between minority stress and mental health, and this theory has been consistently supported by previous research. Yet, it is unclear whether the process or content of RNT is more important in the development of internalizing symptoms in sexual minorities. Consequently, the goal of the current study was to use structural equation modeling to determine whether there are significant indirect effects of repetitive negative thought content in the relationship between minority stress and internalizing psychopathology. Methods: Measures of RNT, internalizing symptoms, and proximal minority stress were completed online by 205 cisgender sexual minority adults. Structural equation modeling was used to examine indirect effects of proximal stress on internalizing symptoms through content‐independent RNT, depressive rumination, and sexual orientation‐related rumination. Results: Significant direct effects of proximal minority stress on internalizing symptoms were observed. Indirect effects of proximal stress on internalizing symptoms were observed for content‐independent RNT and depressive rumination, but not sexual orientation‐related rumination. Conclusions: The current study provides evidence that the process and affective valence of RNT contributes more to internalizing symptoms in sexual minorities when compared with sexual orientation‐related content. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the factors that facilitate the perpetration of sexual violence within the context of same‐sex romantic relationships (sexual intimate partner violence perpetration [S‐IPV]). The present study sought to identify the effects of external and internal minority stress and problematic drinking on perpetration of S‐IPV within a dyadic framework. A community‐based sample of 137 sexual and gender minority (SGM) couples (N = 274; 59 male assigned at birth and 78 female assigned at birth couples) completed self‐report surveys about minority stressors, alcohol use, and S‐IPV perpetration. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted within an actor‐partner interdependence framework. This approach accounted for both actor effects (e.g., how much one's S‐IPV perpetration is predicted by their own risk factors) and partner effects (e.g., how much one's S‐IPV perpetration is influenced by their partner's risk factors). Both Actor external minority stress and internal minority stress were positively associated with Actor S‐IPV perpetration. Actor problematic drinking was not associated with Actor S‐IPV perpetration; however, Partner problematic drinking was positively associated with Actor S‐IPV perpetration. Observed effects were robust above the addition of other risk factors. This research innovatively extricates S‐IPV perpetration from other forms of IPV and indicates that Actor minority stress and Partner problematic drinking increase S‐IPV likelihood. Results serve as a starting point for development of etiological models to inform the design of culturally‐informed interventions to reduce S‐IPV among SGM couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Research has shown that sexual minority people of color experience pervasive and sometimes severe life stressors that increase their risk of experiencing mental health problems, and that can contribute to lifelong health disparities. However, no studies in this population have investigated stressor exposure occurring over the entire lifespan. Moreover, it remains unknown whether these stressor‐health effects differ based on the timing or types of stressors experienced. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how cumulative lifetime stressor exposure is associated with mental health among Black, Latinx, and biracial Black‐Latinx sexual minority persons. Method: Participants were 285 ethnic/racial minority young adults (Mage = 25.18 years old, SD = 1.94, age range = 19–29 years), who completed the Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adults to assess for retrospective reports of lifetime stressor count and severity. The Brief Symptom Inventory was used to assess participants' symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization, which were the main outcomes. Most participants identified as cisgender male (94.7%) and gay (74.2%), with the remaining participants identifying as transgender or genderqueer/nonbinary for gender and bisexual/pansexual, queer, or another sexual orientation. Results: Multiple regression analyses indicated that experiencing more—and more severe—stressors across the lifespan was related to greater anxiety, depressive, and somatization symptoms. These effects were robust while controlling for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, and employment status, and they differed based on stressor exposure timing, type, primary life domain, and core social–psychological characteristic. Conclusion: Greater cumulative lifetime stressor exposure is related to poorer mental health among sexual minority people of color. Screening for lifetime stressors may thus help identify at‐risk persons and provide an opportunity to intervene to help mitigate or prevent mental health disparities in multiply stigmatized adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to major restrictions of everyday life activities. This worsened the social situation of many people, and marginalized groups have been especially affected. This article explores how LGBTQ+ young adults in Sweden have been affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic and the subsequent recommendations and restrictions. Fifteen participants between 20–29 years, who self‐identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+), were interviewed about their experiences. A thematic analysis of the data showed that the participants perceived their psychological wellbeing to have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Several reported symptoms of clinical depression, as well as anxiety, worry, rumination, and a heightened sensitivity to stress. Stressors included fear of the disease itself, and fear of spreading the virus, as well as the negative consequences of adhering to the recommendations of social distancing, which constantly interplayed with the marginalized position of being a young LGBTQ+ person. Most participants experienced a decrease in minority stress in face‐to‐face interaction with social distancing measures in place, but an increase in minority stress online. Those who faced minority stress at home experienced the isolation as particularly stressful. Limited access to the LGBTQ+ community was a common stressor. For transgender participants, the effects on transgender healthcare, such as prolonged waiting times for gender dysphoria assessment and hormone treatment, were a major challenge. Our results have added valuable knowledge to research indicating how vulnerable young adults were highly affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Same‐sex couples continue to experience social stigma, which can have negative consequences for the quality of their relationships. The current study combined minority stress theory with closeness discrepancy theory in an examination of how the production of disjunctures between actual and ideal experiences of closeness (i.e., closeness discrepancies) accounts for an indirect association between stigma and relationship quality. Data were obtained from a longitudinal study of same‐sex couples in the United States who were surveyed twice, 1 year apart (N = 552 individuals, 276 couples). Participants completed measures of stigma, closeness discrepancies, and relationship satisfaction (as an outcome of relationship quality) at each Wave. Results from Actor Partner Interdependence Models demonstrated that increases in experiences of stigma over 1 year were associated with increases in closeness discrepancies, which were, in turn, associated with decreases in relationship satisfaction. This indirect pathway was observed for the association between stigma and one's own relationship satisfaction, but not with one's partner's relationship satisfaction. This research extends previous research on stigma and relational well‐being among same‐sex couples by offering a potential explanation for how stigma "gets in between" partners in same‐sex couples thereby diminishing the quality of their romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBTQ+ individuals face unique barriers to participation in ecology. Such barriers are particularly relevant during fieldwork, including physical and discriminatory risks, increased isolation and noninclusive infrastructure.To make science and fieldwork more accessible to LGBTQ+ people, we must consider safety and survival needs along with personal LGBTQ+ affirmation. In this paper, we discuss alleviating barriers to participation in field ecology, identify best practices for institutions and provide advice for LGBTQ+ field researchers and heterosexual advocates.Synthesis and applications. We recommend that mentors and institutions take action on the safety, financial, medical and administrative support needed by field researchers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or other marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQ+) field researchers. We also suggest that LGBTQ+ field ecologists prioritize their wellbeing and safety, and recommend maintaining connection to LGBTQ+ communities and identities during isolating fieldwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) relationship science has grown significantly over the past two decades, coinciding with rapid changes in the social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. However, it is unclear to what extent the top two journals in relationship science, the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and Personal Relationships, have contributed to the field. In this critical review, we analyzed the 2181 manuscripts published in the journals between 2002 and 2021 for whether they included or excluded LGBTQ+ participants, the methodologies used to analyze their data, and their conclusions about LGBTQ+ lives and relationships. The overwhelming majority (85.8%) of manuscripts did not acknowledge LGBTQ+ relationships; however, there have been improvements compared to past research in retaining LGBTQ+ participants within a data set when they were present. We identified 92 manuscripts that contributed to knowledge about LGBTQ+ lives or relationships. We discuss the lack of intersectional analyses and methodological challenges of incorporating multiple forms of diversity within quantitative research. Overarching themes across manuscript content included minority stress, relationship formation, social support, and commitment. Overall, though the research in the two journals has contributed to the literature on LGBTQ+ relationships, our review suggests that scholars do not consider these two journals as a first choice for finding or publishing LGBTQ+ relationship science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research documents how identity linked processes may have important health implications for people with marginalized or stigmatized identities. While previous work suggests that certain dimensions of identity may moderate the impact of minority stressors to wellbeing, work on identity centrality has yielded mixed findings about the directionality of the relationship between centrality and health. Given the importance of identity centrality on self‐concept, this study highlights how differential exposure to minority stressors matters for identity construction. Drawing from 25 in‐depth interviews on Black and Latino/a sexual minority adults, I examine perceptions of identity centrality and exposure to minority stressors. There are three key findings to highlight. First, results present evidence of intra‐group variability in identity centrality. Second, results indicate that differential exposure to minority stress matters for perceptions of identity centrality. Finally, results note that differentiating between stigma and race related stressors is necessary to better understand experiences of minority stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Menarcheal timing is associated with growth, development, health, wellbeing, and reproduction across the lifespan. Although sexual orientation is a known correlate of health and developmental inequities, relatively little evolutionarily framed research has investigated sexual orientation‐based variation in maturational timing. To improve our understanding of menarcheal timing among sexual minority (SM) people, we use a biocultural‐evolutionary life history lens that takes into account the stresses of minoritization to examine the relationship between sexual orientation and self‐reported age at menarche in a sample of American adults. Methods: Using the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a large, nationally representative dataset (n = 9757), we fit multiple logistic regression models and survival curves to evaluate associations between sexual orientation, indicators of somatic and material resources during adolescence (e.g., education, citizenship, upper arm length), and self‐reported menarche. Results: SM respondents were more likely to report earlier (by 4–5 months) ages of menarche (p <.001). Post‐hoc tests revealed that these differences were driven by bisexual (p <.001) and same‐sex experienced (p <.001) relative to heterosexual and lesbian/gay respondents. Earlier menarcheal timing among SM respondents persisted after adjusting for socio‐demographic factors and proxies of developmental conditions. Discussion: Our findings reveal that SM status is associated with earlier ages of menarche, an important social and reproductive milestone. We argue that uniting life history theory with the minority stress hypothesis better explains differences in menarcheal timing by sexual orientation than previous paradigms. Investigators should attend to sexual orientation‐based variation in maturational timing using holistic, inclusive approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, physical distancing measures to prevent transmission of the virus have been implemented. The effect of physical distancing measures on loneliness especially for vulnerable groups remained unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate loneliness in relation with depressive symptoms among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, inter, asexual, and queer (LGBT) persons compared with cis‐heterosexual persons during the pandemic. We conducted an online survey during the first two waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Germany. The survey contained self‐categorizations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, questions on loneliness, social contacts, depressive symptoms, and healthcare. Descriptive and regression analysis and propensity score matching across cohorts was conducted using R; 2641 participants took part in first wave of the survey and 4143 participants in the second wave. The proportion of lonely people was higher in the second wave compared with the first wave. LGBT persons were more lonely than cis‐heterosexual persons. In both waves, being LGBT was associated with depressive symptoms, but loneliness mediated the effect, even when adjusting for social contacts. Psychologists and other practitioners should be aware that LGBT clients might have an increased risk for loneliness and depressive symptoms and of the potential burden of the pandemic measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiological studies of cancer survivors have predominantly focused on non‐Hispanic White, elderly patients, despite the observation that African Americans have higher rates of mortality. Therefore, we characterized cancer survivorship in younger African American survivors using the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) study to assess health behaviors and quality of life. Methods: Five hundred and seventeen patients diagnosed with any cancer between the ages of 20–49 (mean age: 42 years; SD: 6.7 years) completed a survey to identify important clinical, behavioral, and sociodemographic characteristics, measures of health literacy, and experiences of discrimination. Quality of life outcomes were evaluated in patients using FACT‐G, FACT‐Cog, and PROMIS® Anxiety and Depression scales. Stepwise linear and logistic regression were used to assess the association between quality of life measures and participant characteristics. Results: The mean FACT‐G score was 74.1 (SD: 21.3), while the FACT‐Cog was 55.1 (SD: 17.1) (FACT‐G range 0–108 with higher scores indicating better function; elderly cancer patient mean: 82.2; FACT‐Cog 18‐item range 0–72 points with higher scores indicating better perceived cognitive functioning; scores <54 indicating cognitive impairment). In addition, 27.1% and 21.6% of patients had a score indicative of moderate or severe anxiety and depression, respectively. Perceived discrimination and the number of discriminatory events were significantly associated with reductions in three of the four quality of life measures. Health literacy was positively associated with all four health measures, while total comorbidity count was negatively associated with three of the four measures. Conclusion: Younger adult African American cancer survivors who report experiencing discrimination and suffer from multiple comorbid conditions have poorer mental and overall health. Understanding the unique clinical and socioeconomic stressors that influence this patient population is essential for reducing health disparities and improving long‐term survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Experiences of sexuality‐based discrimination (ie, minority stressors) against youth who identify as nonheterosexual (ie, sexual minority) have been associated with increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for sexual minority adolescents (SMA; ages 14‐17). However, little is known about the experiences of SMA living in rural communities across the United States. Thus, the present study sought to examine differences in mental health patterns between urban and rural dwelling SMA, and to see whether these differences are, at least in part, explained by experiences of lifetime minority stress. Methods: A nationwide sample of SMA residing in the United States (N = 2,558; aged 14‐17, M = 15.90 years, SD = 0.98) was recruited through purposive social media and respondent‐driven sampling methods to complete a cross‐sectional survey online. Measures included those of minority stress, urbanicity, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Parallel multiple mediation (PMM) analysis was employed to test whether urbanicity was associated with anxiety, depressive, and PTSD symptoms through reported lifetime minority stress. Findings: On average, SMA living in rural areas significantly reported more lifetime minority stress, depressive, and PTSD symptoms than SMA living in urban settings. Results from our PMM analysis indicated that heightened experiences of lifetime minority stress indirectly linked the effects of living in rural areas on anxiety (b = –0.288, 95% CI = [–0.491, –0.085]), depressive (b = –0.158, 95% CI = [–0.270, –0.047), and PTSD symptoms PTSD (b = –0.349, 95% CI = [–0.596, –0.105]). The model accounted for 16.8%, 18%, and 24.1% of the variability in anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and PTSD symptoms, respectively. Conclusions: SMA in our study who reside in rural areas reported elevated minority stress, depressive, and PTSD symptoms as compared to their urban dwelling peers. Our study found that lifetime experiences of minority stress fully mediated the relationship between urbanicity and both depressive and PTSD symptoms, and partially mediated the relationship between urbanicity and anxiety. These findings highlight the need to increase support for rural youth who are growing into adulthood and may find continuing challenges in their family, peer, and community relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]