Sexual orientation disparities in mental health

Question 1

What risks do LGBQ+ individuals face in terms of mental health compared to heterosexual individuals?

Answer 1

Greater risks of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts due to stigma and discrimination

Research indicates that LGBQ+ individuals experience unique stressors contributing to these mental health issues. E.g. anxiety and depression.- truthful bisexual women who are not accepted by both heterosexual and gay communities

Question 2

What was the historical perspective on homosexuality by psychiatric bodies?

Answer 2

Homosexuality was considered a mental illness until 1974 in the USA and 1992 by the WHO

This led to harmful treatments and has had lasting impacts on older LGBTQ+ individuals. - psychiatric asylums

Question 3

What is the Minority Stress Model?

Answer 3

A framework explaining how mental health is affected by external stressors (discrimination, violence) and internal stressors (shame, concealment)

Proposed by Meyer in 2003, it highlights the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Question 4

What mental health disorders are LGBQ+ individuals more likely to suffer from?

Answer 4

Anxiety, depression, and substance abuse

Bisexual individuals face higher risks due to prejudice from both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ communities.

Question 5

What percentage of LGBTQ+ youth reported suicidal thoughts according to Rimes et al. (2019)?

Answer 5

45.2% of LGBQ+ youth aged 16-25

Factors such as harassment and family rejection significantly contribute to these high rates.

Question 6

What is a key intervention to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals?

Answer 6

Reducing stigma and providing supportive environments

Training mental health professionals to understand the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals is essential.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The Minority Stress Framework identifies both internal and external stresses. External stresses include._______ and internal stresses include _________ impacting mental health.

Answer 7

External: discrimination, violence, societal rejection

Internal: shame, concealment and fear of projection

Question 8

What are some mediators of depression in sexual minorities in you according to a 2020 study?

Answer 8

• Victimization, harassment, and abuse
• Stress and low social support
• Self-esteem and rumination

These factors can lead to chronic stress and depressive symptoms.

Question 9

What methodological issues are present in studies of depression among sexual minorities?

Answer 9

Reliance on cross-sectional designs and retrospective reports

These can lead to reverse causality or biased recall.

Question 10

Define Childhood Gender Nonconformity (CGN).? What is the finding?

Answer 10

Behaviors and preferences in children that do not align with typical gender norms

Examples include boys preferring to play with girls or wearing traditionally feminine clothes.

That childhood CGN in females is associated with higher rates of abuse and PTSD symptoms in adulthood

Question 11

What psychological processes are common in both heterosexual and sexual minority individuals experiencing depression?

Answer 11

Coping, emotion regulation, and negative self-beliefs

Sexual minorities may also face unique stressors like internalized stigma.

Question 12

What differences exist in mental health treatment outcomes for sexual minorities?

Answer 12

Bisexual men and women, as well as lesbian women, often experience poorer outcomes compared to heterosexual individuals - bisexual women may not see an improvement in their depression

This may be due to inadequate understanding of their unique challenges.

Question 13

How can cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help sexual minorities?

Answer 13

By targeting negative beliefs and avoidance that maintain depression

Therapists should also consider LGBTQ+ specific factors. E.g. stigma.

Question 14

True or False: LGBTQ+ support groups can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental health.

Answer 14

True

These groups foster self-acceptance and provide a safe space for sharing experiences.

Question 15

What is hazen Buellers 2009 integrative framework of general and group specific processes?

Answer 15

Combination of factors can lead to mental health problems

1. Stigma related stresses such as violence and discrimination re.
2. General psychological processes like poor coping and emotional regulation.
3. Group specific processes such as expectations of rejection.