The Intersections of Physical and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

2020 ◽  
pp. 379-393
Author(s):  
Michele J. Eliason
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Minority Populations ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Adverse Childhood Events ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

There is considerable evidence of health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the areas of physical health and disability, mental health and suicidality, substance use and abuse, and access to care. However, little research has considered the possibility that disorders might concentrate in subgroups of SGMs with the greatest levels of minority stress over time or those who have experienced the greatest number of adverse childhood events. This chapter examines the scant evidence that physical and mental health disorders coexist in some SGM individuals and offers some critique of the existing research. Future directions for research are proposed.

scholarly journals Transdiagnostic Approaches to Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Anthony Rodriguez-Seijas ◽  
Nicholas R Eaton ◽  
John E. Pachankis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Minority Mental Health ◽  
Diagnostic Approaches ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Sexual and gender minority individuals experience minority stress, which is hypothesized to underlie the mental health disparities affecting these populations. Drawing on advances in mental disorder classification, we argue that transdiagnostic approaches hold great promise for understanding and reducing these disparities. In contrast to traditional diagnostic approaches, which have limited construct validity and produced a piecemeal literature, transdiagnostic approaches: (1) are evidence based, (2) account for diffuse patterns of disparities and comorbidity, (3) pinpoint psychological mechanisms linking minority stress to poor mental health, (4) reduce scientific stigma, and (5) serve as efficacious and efficient targets for transdiagnostic minority stress interventions.

scholarly journals Sexual and Gender Minority Stress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for LGBTQ Young Persons’ Mental Health and Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-727
Author(s):  
John P. Salerno ◽  
Jackson Devadas ◽  
M Pease ◽  
Bryanna Nketia ◽  
Jessica N. Fish
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Health And Well Being

The Current Status of Sociopolitical and Legal Issues Facing Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Ramos ◽  
Alexis Burgess ◽  
Elizabeth Ollen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Background: Adolescents today have unprecedented and uninterrupted access to news and current events through broadcast and social media. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents may be especially cognizant of media and public discourse pertaining to law and policy changes affecting the legal rights of their communities. The minority stress framework explains how sociopolitical discourse impacts mental health among sexual and gender minority youths. Objectives: This paper identifies and describes contemporary sociopolitical and legal issues that may impact LGBTQ adolescents’ mental health. Methods: Authors describe the minority stress framework as applied to gender and sexual identity and explore key sociopolitical and legal topics relevant to LGBTQ adolescents, including employment; medical care bans; health insurance coverage; conversion therapy; religious exemptions in health care; housing rights; and rights in schools and school districts, including participation in sports. Results: LGBTQ youth experience rejection, prejudice, and discrimination directly through adverse legislative or administrative action and more pervasively through the dominant cultural beliefs and sociopolitical messaging that such developments manifest. Conclusion: Mental health clinicians who are aware of legal issues and sociopolitical debate pertinent to LGBTQ rights are better prepared to address their significant impact on LGBTQ adolescents’ mental health.

Sexual and gender minority populations and suicidal behaviours

2021 ◽  
pp. 353-360
Author(s):  
Helen Keeley ◽  
Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin ◽  
Máire Leane
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minority Populations ◽  
Sexual Diversity ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gender Status ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Despite the sociolegal changes that have signalled greater acceptance of sexual diversity and gender expansive identities in the twenty-first century, worldwide studies highlight the increased risk of mental health problems and suicidality for those with a sexual and/or gender minority status. This chapter discusses this increased risk of suicidality among sexual and gender minority populations across the life course. A recurring theme is that those who are less sure of their status, are most at risk. Therefore, the capacity of an individual to overcome internalized minority stress, stigma, guilt, and shame, and to reconcile, even take pride, in their sexual/gender status, is a significant issue. While sociolegal, cultural, and familial norms may seem beyond the remit of mental health professionals, affirmative and inclusive actions can be taken to support questioning youth, unsure adults, and distrustful older people, and to help improve the resilience and well-being of their LGBTQ+ service-users.

Alcohol Use Disorders among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

2020 ◽  
pp. 85-100
Author(s):  
Phoenix R. Crane ◽  
Katarina S. Swaringen ◽  
Anthony M. Foster ◽  
Amelia E. Talley
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Minority Populations ◽  
Stress Theory ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

Sexual and gender minority populations are at a heightened risk of developing alcohol-related problems, such as alcohol use disorder, compared to their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts. The present chapter presents recent prevalence rates of alcohol use disorder and examines how relations among sexual orientation, gender, and alcohol use are influenced by mechanisms relevant to minority stress theory, the intersectionality framework, and other social factors such as racism, sexism, homophobia, sexual victimization, and stigma. This chapter also explores available intervention and treatment initiatives for alcohol misuse in sexual and gender minority populations, suggesting empirically informed approaches to maximize the effectiveness of tailored programs.

Epilogue: Challenges in Research Methods and Future Directions on Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health Research

2020 ◽  
pp. 442-453
Author(s):  
David M. Frost
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Mental Health ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

This chapter is focused on the challenges that face researchers who are investigating the mental health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. The chapter provides an overview of predominant frameworks and theories guiding research on the mental health of SGM individuals in order to highlight the methodological challenges that stem from these guiding frameworks and theories. Although there are challenges specific to certain subgroups within the broader SGM population, this chapter focuses on common challenges that are widely applicable within the field. The author concludes with suggestions for future research that aims to improve the field’s ability to understand and address mental health disparities continuing to face diverse SGM populations.

Mental Health for Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals with Physical or Cognitive Disabilities

2020 ◽  
pp. 405-417
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Mallaigh McGinley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Gender Minorities ◽  
Health Experiences ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

This chapter explores the mental health experiences and needs of sexual and gender minority individuals with disabilities. The authors review the evidence-based research on mental health, highlighting the role of stigma, discrimination, and barriers to care. Autistic sexual and gender minority individuals are used to illustrate the unique experiences of subgroups. Much of the research on this topic is exploratory or descriptive in nature, focused on the experiences of and prevalence rates of individuals from sexual and gender minorities. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future directions for research, and the importance of centering the voices of sexual and gender minority individuals with disabilities in research and practice whenever possible.

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