Age Differences in Sexual Minority Stress and the Importance of Friendship in Later Life

Everyday Sexual and Gender Minority Stress and Health: A Systematic Review of Experience Sampling Studies

Sexual and gender minority stress is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes, such as hypertension and depression. Expanding on previous reviews of the literature on cross-sectional and long-term prospective associations between sexual and gender minority stress and health outcomes, the current systematic review synthesizes the evidence on how everyday sexual and gender minority stress relates to momentary changes in health. The findings of 53 experience sampling studies published between 2007 and 2022 suggest that daily and momentary within-persons fluctuations in minority stressors are associated with cognitive-emotional (e.g., affect, suicidality), behavioral (e.g., substance use), social (e.g., relationship satisfaction), and physical health outcomes (e.g., somatic symptoms). These findings suggest that sexual and gender minority stress is a dynamic process that can vary within individuals over time and significantly impact everyday mental and physical health. We discuss the implications of these findings for minority stress theory, LGBTQ+ health research, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, and prevention initiatives. The current experience sampling literature is limited by a lack of attention to gender minority stress and a focus on a limited range of health outcomes. Methodological and theoretical considerations for future experience sampling research are discussed in light of these limitations.

Elucidating Intimate Partner Violence Rate Disparities Between Same- and Opposite-Sex Couples: A Demographic Approach

Studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) rates typically find higher rates for same-sex couples than opposite-sex couples. Regardless of sexual orientation, the risk for IPV perpetration is concentrated among young adults. Given that the HIV/AIDS epidemic significantly lowered the life expectancy of sexual minority men and that recent social movements have encouraged more youths to "come out," population age differences may contribute to the observed differences in IPV rates between same- and opposite-sex couples. The present study applies direct age standardization and decomposition techniques to data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and the American Community Survey to examine this possibility across 2,584 same-sex male, 4,029 same-sex female, and 284,614 opposite-sex physical IPV incidents. The results of the direct standardization procedures indicate physical IPV rates for same-sex male and same-sex female households would be 11.8% and 27.3% lower, respectively, if they had the same population age structure as opposite-sex households. The results of the decompositions indicate that differences in population age structure contribute 48% and 44% of the elevation in IPV rates in same-sex male and same-sex female households, respectively, compared to opposite-sex households. These findings demonstrate the promise of demographic methods to explain differences in offending rates between groups. These results suggest the need for prevention and intervention strategies aimed at youths. Future studies should be conducted with data on sexual orientation and gender identity to better elucidate the contribution of population age structure among various sexual and gender minority groups. Research comparing trends among sexual minority populations to the heterosexual population in particular should account for age where possible.

Social Change and the Health of Sexual Minority Individuals: Do the Effects of Minority Stress and Community Connectedness Vary by Age Cohort?

This study examined the extent to which social stress stemming from a stigmatized social status (i.e., minority stress) was associated with three domains of health in younger as compared with older age cohorts of sexual minority individuals. Data were analyzed from the Generations Study, a longitudinal study using a probability sample (N = 1518) of age cohorts of sexual minority individuals in the USA. Exposure to a variety of minority stressors was associated with poorer health for all age cohorts. We hypothesized that because of improved social and legal environments in recent years, the associations between minority stress and health would be diminished in the younger cohort. As expected, we found that the associations between some minority stressors and health outcomes were diminished in the younger cohort compared to older cohorts. Positive associations between community connectedness and mental health and social well-being were observed for all participants but were attenuated in the younger cohort. Findings demonstrate the continuing negative association between minority stress and health among sexual minorities, which, despite some attenuation, persists even for young cohorts of sexual minority individuals in a more equal and accepting social climate.

Minority Stress and Relationship Well-Being in Sexual Minorities: The Varying Role of Outness on Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction

Objectives: Empirical inquiry has targeted how same-sex couples grapple with unique stressors in their romantic relationships. Meta-analyses demonstrate that the adverse link between minority stress and sexual and relationship well-being is contingent on the type of stressor and relationship component. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study examining a sample of 238 individuals currently in same-sex relationships. Results: Outness predicted relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual dissatisfaction relative to other stressors, and depressive symptomatology mediated the minority stressors and relationship well-being associations. Conclusions: The current findings offer practical applications for practitioners working with sexual minority clients and researchers who continue to reveal the boundaries in the minority stress process.