Sexual Minority Stress and Physical Health Outcomes
People who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, pansexual, omnisexual, etc., face numerous challenges and discriminations that are not experienced by cisgender heterosexuals. As a result, they may experience chronic stress due to their identity, which can impact their physical health outcomes such as cardiovascular health and sleep patterns. This essay explains what sexual minority stress is, how it affects one's cardiovascular health, and how it impacts sleep patterns.
What is Sexual Minority Stress?
Sexual minority stress refers to the unique set of psychological distress experiences faced by sexual minorities resulting from social stigma, prejudice, and discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. These stressors include victimization, internalized homophobia, negative coping strategies, and concealment of one's sexual orientation/identity. The cumulative effect of these stressors leads to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality among sexual minorities compared to cisgender heterosexuals.
The Relation Between Sexual Minority Stress and Cardiovascular Health
Several studies have found that sexual minority stress is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
One study examined the relationship between perceived stress in LGBTQ+ individuals and CVD risk factors. It found that higher levels of perceived stress were associated with higher blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol levels, and waist circumference - all of which are known to be risk factors for CVD. Another study found that perceived stress was linked to an increased likelihood of having had a heart attack or stroke in the past year.
Another study investigated the relationship between transphobic victimization and CVD risk factors among transgender individuals. Transgender individuals who reported experiencing more transphobic victimization had higher blood pressure, higher BMI, and higher waist-to-hip ratio than those who did not experience such victimization. These findings suggest that transphobic victimization may contribute to CVD risk by causing physiological changes that lead to CVD risk factors.
How Does Sexual Minority Stress Affect Sleep Patterns?
In addition to impacting cardiovascular health, sexual minority stress can also affect sleep patterns. One study analyzed the association between daily life events and sleep quality among LGBTQ+ adults. They found that participants who experienced greater discrimination and negative social interactions were more likely to report poorer sleep quality on average compared to those who did not. In another study, LGBTQ+ youth who reported greater daily experiences of rejection, stigma, prejudice, and isolation also reported worse sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. These results highlight the importance of considering sexual minority stress when assessing physical and mental health outcomes.
Sexual minority stress is a significant source of chronic stress experienced by many sexual minorities. It has been linked to adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease risk factors and poorer sleep quality. Healthcare providers should be aware of this issue and screen for sexual minority stress when evaluating patients' health needs.
Efforts to reduce discrimination and create safer environments for sexual minorities are critical in improving their health outcomes.