Minority stress theory

Sexual minoritized youth (eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) may experience stigma related to their sexual orientation or gender diversity. This stigma can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and lack of acceptance in society at large or in one's relationships with peers and family members, resulting in "minority stress." Stigmatization and minority stress may increase vulnerability to psychologic distress (eg, anxiety, depression), which may contribute to adverse health and psychosocial outcomes (eg, suicide, substance use, socioeconomic disadvantage, victimization). Psychologic distress and adverse psychosocial outcomes are society-induced and not inherent to being a sexual minoritized individual.