WEEK 3: Lecture 3a+b - Goldbach & Gibbs - Cramwinkel et al. - Mereish et al. Flashcards
L3a: Question: Define Bisexuality / Bi+ as a sexual orientation.
Answer: Bisexuality / Bi+ refers to romantic and/or sexual attraction to people of more than one gender, not limited to just men and women.
L3a: Question: What are the components of sexual orientation that researchers measure?
Answer: Sexual orientation includes sexual attraction, romantic attraction, sexual behavior, and self-identification.
L3a: Question: According to research, how does sexual orientation measurement affect outcomes related to mental health?
Answer: Different measurement methods yield varying research results, impacting outcomes related to mental health and well-being.
L3a: Question: What disparities in mental health are observed among sexual minority youth?
Answer: Sexual minority youth often experience poorer mental health outcomes such as higher rates of depressive symptoms, psychosomatic complaints, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.
L3a: Question: What is the Minority Stress Model, and who developed it?
Answer: The Minority Stress Model, developed by Meyer and others, explains how sexual minority individuals’ mental health is impacted by stressors like discrimination, victimization, and internalized societal attitudes.
L3a: Question: How does bullying victimization affect the mental health of bisexual adolescents compared to homosexual and heterosexual peers?
Answer: Bullying victimization contributes to poorer mental health outcomes for bisexual adolescents, who face specific minority stressors including double discrimination and bi-invisibility.
L3b: Question: What is intersectionality, as defined in sexuality research?
Answer: Intersectionality refers to the interconnectedness of race/ethnicity, class, nationality, sexual orientation, abilities, and gender, which collectively influence individuals’ experiences and identities.
L3b: Question: What are some misconceptions about intersectionality, and how are they addressed?
Answer: Intersectionality is often misconceived as solely explaining oppression, whereas it also acknowledges privilege. It is not merely a theoretical framework but an analytical one guiding research methodologies and insights. (oppression = oppression refers to the systematic mistreatment, discrimination, or disadvantage faced by individuals or groups due to their social identities)
L3b: Question: How is intersectionality implemented in research methodologies?
Answer: Intersectionality is implemented by theorizing about social privilege levels, identifying inequalities across intersecting identities, and adapting research methods to ensure inclusivity and sensitivity to diverse experiences.
L3b: Question: Provide an example of intersectional research in sexuality studies.
Answer: Intersectional research may focus on mental health disparities among marginalized groups, such as queer youth of color, exploring factors like trauma and systemic oppression (e.g., racism, queerphobia).
L3b: Question: What are the practical implications of intersectional research in sexuality studies?
Answer: Intersectional research enhances understanding of underrepresented groups, informs policies and interventions, influences identity politics, and fosters awareness about privilege dynamics.
L3b: Question: What are the primary challenges encountered in intersectional research on sexuality?
Answer: Challenges include reconciling inclusion with potential exclusion, recognizing contextual variations in privilege, addressing researcher positionality, avoiding overburdening marginalized groups, and navigating preferences for simplified research approaches.
G&G: What disparities in behavioral health do sexual minority adolescents experience compared to heterosexual peers, according to Goldbach & Gibbs (2016)?
Sexual minority adolescents are 3 to 4 times more likely to have internalizing disorders and 2 to 5 times more likely to have externalizing disorders than their heterosexual peers. They also report higher rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, substance use, and are twice as likely to attempt suicide.
G&G: According to minority stress theory, how are general environmental stressors and minority stressors interconnected?
Minority stress theory posits that general environmental stressors (e.g., job loss) and minority stressors (e.g., discrimination based on sexual orientation) overlap and interact, influencing mental health outcomes. These stressors are not isolated events but rather interdependent, affecting individuals simultaneously.
G&G: What are proximal minority stressors experienced by sexual minorities during adolescence?
Proximal minority stressors for sexual minority adolescents include expectations of rejection, concealment of sexual orientation, and internalized homophobia. These stressors are chronic and contribute uniquely to mental health issues during adolescence.
G&G: How do coping mechanisms and social support affect the impact of stressors on behavioral health outcomes among sexual minority adolescents?
Coping mechanisms and social supports such as group solidarity and affirming communities can mitigate the impact of stressors on behavioral health. However, ineffective coping strategies or lack of social support may exacerbate mental health challenges despite efforts to cope individually.
G&G: What developmental factors related to sexual identity make adolescence a unique period for understanding minority stress?
Adolescence is crucial for understanding minority stress because it involves the development of sexual identity amidst changing societal attitudes. Factors like disclosure-related stress and victimization in school differ from adult experiences, influencing coping strategies and mental health outcomes differently.
G&G: How does the minority stress and coping model propose to integrate social contexts?
The minority stress and coping model integrates various social contexts (family, school, peers, LGBTQ communities) to understand how interactions within these environments can either exacerbate stressors (e.g., discrimination) or provide coping resources (e.g., support, acceptance) for sexual minority adolescents.
G&G: What are the key themes identified by Goldbach & Gibbs (2016) regarding sexual minority adolescents’ experiences of minority stress?
The study found three main points: experiencing stress from being a minority and recognizing ways to cope, the importance of social context in stress and coping, and including sexual and gender identity development in understanding minority stress.
G&G: What are some limitations acknowledged by Goldbach & Gibbs (2016) regarding their study on sexual minority adolescents?
Limitations include recruitment focusing on diversity which led to small subsamples, potentially limiting generalizability. Additionally, the study included participants identifying as genderqueer or transgender, requiring careful interpretation for gender-nonconforming youth.
Cramwinckel: Question: Define Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Prejudice (SOGIP) as discussed in the article.
Answer: SOGIP refers to negative attitudes, behaviors, or beliefs towards individuals or groups based on their perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender role, or gender expression.
Cramwinckel: Question: What are the determinants of SOGIP discussed in the article?
Answer: Determinants include discomfort with gender nonconformity, demographic characteristics (such as gender, age, education, income, marital status, and religiosity), and political conservatism resisting change.
Cramwinckel: Question: Explain the difference between blatant and subtle prejudice against LGBTQ individuals according to the article.
Answer: Blatant prejudice involves explicit hostility and aggression towards sexual and gender minorities, while subtle prejudice manifests through implicit negative associations, mild discomfort, and nonverbal behaviors like avoidance.
Cramwinckel: Question: How do ambivalent attitudes contribute to subtle SOGIP according to the article?
Answer: Ambivalent attitudes involve simultaneous positive and negative beliefs towards LGBTQ individuals. Despite positive beliefs, ambivalent individuals are less likely to support LGBTQ individuals in challenging situations, such as bullying.
