Stigma and Minority Stress as Social Determinants of Health Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: Research Evidence and Clinical Implications

Mark L Hatzenbuehler; John E Pachankis

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2016.07.003

Stigma and Minority Stress as Social Determinants of Health Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: Research Evidence and Clinical Implications

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016 Dec;63(6):985-997. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2016.07.003. Epub 2016 Oct 12.

Authors

Mark L Hatzenbuehler¹, John E Pachankis²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, Room 549B, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address: mlh2101@cumc.columbia.edu.
² Chronic Disease Epidemiology: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, Suite 316, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.

PMID: 27865340
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2016.07.003

Abstract

In this article, we review theory and evidence on stigma and minority stress as social/structural determinants of health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. We discuss different forms of stigma at individual (eg, identity concealment), interpersonal (eg, victimization), and structural (eg, laws and social norms) levels, as well as the mechanisms linking stigma to adverse health outcomes among LGBT youth. Finally, we discuss clinical (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy) and public health (eg, antibullying policies) interventions that effectively target stigma-inducing mechanisms to improve the health of LGBT youth.

Keywords: Health; LGBT youth; Minority stress; Stigma.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Homophobia / psychology*
Homophobia / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Mental Disorders / epidemiology
Mental Disorders / psychology*
Sexual and Gender Minorities / psychology*
Sexual and Gender Minorities / statistics & numerical data
Social Stigma*
Stereotyping