Citation

Mongelli F, Perrone D, Balducci J, Sacchetti A, Ferrari S, Mattei G, Galeazzi GM. Minerva Psichiatr. 2019; 60(1): 27-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Italian Society of Social Psychiatry, Publisher Edizioni Minerva Medica)

DOI

10.23736/S0391-1772.18.01995-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In the past five years, researchers have increasingly turned to the study of mental health outcomes in LGBT populations. The present paper summarizes recent literature on the relationship between minority stress experienced by sexual minorities and mental health. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PsycINFO, PubMed, and the EBSCO Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection were searched for papers concerning minority stress and mental health disparities in LGBT populations, published between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2018. All collected papers were screened using the following criteria: study involving >50 individuals; written in English; focusing on clinical outcomes of depression, suicidality, and substance use in relation to experienced minority stress. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Sixty-two papers were included in this review.

FINDINGS are reported under three main headings: studies primarily focused on depression, studies concerning suicidality and suicide attempts, and papers analyzing the correlation between substance use and minority stress in LGBT populations. The included studies supported the minority stress model as a framework to better explain disparities in mental health outcomes in sexual minority populations. Higher rates of depression, suicidality, and substance use are reported in LGBT populations, as are the related minority stressors analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS: Sexual minorities still face numerous mental health disparities. Research indicates that the levels of minority stressors positively predict mental health outcomes. Specific policies designed to support the civil rights of sexual minorities may help to overcome such inequalities. © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.

Language: en

Keywords

human; mental health; Depression; Suicide; Review; alcoholism; cannabis; Mental health; suicidal ideation; depression; prevalence; stress; substance use; suicidal behavior; mood disorder; risk factor; sexual harassment; mental disease; drinking behavior; socioeconomics; distress syndrome; smoking; bisexuality; health service; anxiety disorder; coping behavior; methamphetamine; drug dependence; information processing; neurobiology; homophobia; Substance-related disorders; Minority health; heroin dependence; bibliographic database; meta analysis (topic); emotional abuse; social stigma; sexual violence; LGBT people; exposure to violence; midomafetamine; sexual and gender minority; Sexual and gender minorities