Chronic Minority Stress is a type of persistent strain that results from negative experiences based on one's identity. This includes experiencing discrimination, prejudice, stigmatization, hostility, bias, harassment, or victimization due to one's sexual orientation. It can also be caused by the internalized social pressures to conceal one's sexual identity, leading to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and stress. According to researchers, chronic minority stress affects LGBT people's health throughout their lifespan, causing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse, among others.
Lifespan Health Outcomes are the physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual consequences of aging that impact individuals over time. The effects of chronic minority stress on these outcomes include increased risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, asthma, hypertension, obesity, and other diseases.
LGBT people who experience severe discrimination may have lower self-esteem, more frequent substance use, higher levels of stress hormones, and less access to preventive care. They may also experience worse health outcomes than those who do not face this type of discrimination. In addition, LGBT people with chronic conditions like HIV are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking and drug use, which increases the likelihood of developing heart disease and stroke.
LGBT people may delay seeking medical attention because they fear being misgendered, stigmatized, or harassed. This can result in a lack of diagnosis and treatment for serious illnesses, worsening health outcomes.
Sexual orientation identity is correlated with mental health outcomes: LGBT people who hide their identities are more likely to suffer from depression, suicidal thoughts, and PTSD, leading to poorer overall health and shorter life expectancy.
Chronic minority stress has significant effects on LGBT people's lifespan health outcomes, causing physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual consequences throughout their lives. Understanding and addressing this issue requires collective action at individual, societal, and institutional levels.
What are the effects of chronic minority stress on the lifespan health outcomes of LGBT people?
Chronic minority stress can have detrimental effects on the physical and mental health of LGBT individuals throughout their lives. Studies have found that LGBT individuals experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to heterosexual individuals due to the pervasive social stigma and discrimination they face.