Longitudinal associations between minority stress, internalizing symptoms, and substance use among sexual and gender minority individuals assigned female at birth

Intersectional minority stress and identity conflict among sexual and gender minority people of color assigned female at birth

Objective: Sexual and gender minority people of color (SGM-POC) experience intersectional forms of minority stress, including heterosexism within racial/ethnic minority communities, which can contribute to feelings of conflict between SGM and racial/ethnic identities. Internalized stigma may be a consequence of sexual orientation-based discrimination but has not been tested as a mechanism linking intersectional minority stress to identity conflict among SGM-POC. We hypothesized that the association between experiences of heterosexism in racial/ethnic minority communities and identity conflict would be mediated by internalized stigma among SGM assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB). Method: Participants were 316 SGM-AFAB who identified as POC. Data were collected as a part of an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of young SGM-AFAB. We tested the longitudinal mediation using data from baseline, 6-month follow-up, and 1-year follow-up assessments. Results: Internalized stigma at 6-month follow-up partially mediated the association between experiences of heterosexism in racial/ethnic minority communities at baseline and identity conflict at 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: For SGM-POC, experiences of heterosexism within their racial/ethnic communities may lead to internalization of those negative attitudes. A consequence of internalizing heterosexist attitudes from one's racial/ethnic group could be a feeling that one's sexual orientation and racial/ethnic identities must remain separate, perhaps to maintain connection to one's racial/ethnic community. Identifying internalized stigma as a mediating process is critical to better understand identity development for SGM-POC, and has important clinical implications for working with this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining minority stress, dyadic coping, and internalizing symptoms among male same-sex couples using actor-partner interdependence models

Minority stress processes have been consistently linked to increased internalizing symptoms among sexual minority individuals. However, very little research has studied the impact of minority stress on the mental health of same-sex couples. The present study examined associations of actor and partner heterosexist microaggressions and internalized heterosexism with internalizing symptoms, moderated by dyadic coping, among male same-sex couples. Participants were 774 men who have sex with men (387 dyads). Results of actor-partner interdependence models showed that actor, but not partner, minority stress was positively associated with internalizing symptoms. Dyadic coping moderated the association of actor heterosexist microaggressions on internalizing symptoms such that for those who engaged in more dyadic coping, the association of heterosexist microaggressions with internalizing symptoms was weaker. Dyadic coping also moderated the association of partner internalized heterosexism on internalizing symptoms. For those who engaged in more dyadic coping, their partner's internalized heterosexism was associated with greater internalizing symptoms. Although dyadic coping may buffer the effects of minority stress on internalizing symptoms, if partners rely too heavily on one another to cope with stress, it may be detrimental to their mental health. Implications for relationship education interventions for same-sex couples are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of magnification and changes in tobacco pictorial warning on asceticism of tobacco use: An exploratory survey

Background:

Tobacco usage-related diseases pose serious threat for not only public health but also for country's economy and warning labels are considered as an effective strategy to spread more awareness on tobacco hazards.

Aim:

The aim of this hospital-based questionnaire survey was to assess the effect of magnified pictorial warning over tobacco products on asceticism of tobacco use and to measure the association of selected tobacco habits variables and asceticism of tobacco use.

Materials and Methods:

Present exploratory survey based on triangulation method of data collection was conducted among conveniently selected 1,008 tobacco users or smokers attending OPD services at tertiary care center during the year 2018–2019. Quantitative survey data was collected through structured questionnaire and two FGDs were conducted for qualitative information. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

Magnification of health warnings over tobacco packets had impact on tobacco or cigarette consumption to some extent (415; 41.25%); but insisted only one third (383; 38.0%) participants to quit tobacco use. A significant association was observed between awareness about bad effect of tobacco use and attempt of quit tobacco uses (OR 0.29; CI 95%, 0.223–0.390; P = 0.001). Furthermore, significant effect of magnified warning over tobacco products was seen on reduction in tobacco use (OR 0.39; CI 95%, 0.300–0.531; P = 0.001) and quitting the tobacco (OR 0.38; CI 95%, 0.28620.513; P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Study results concluded that magnification of pictorial warning is associated with the asceticism of tobacco use to some extent but alone it is not sufficient. Therefore, adjunct intervention of mass public education about bad effect of tobacco use is more essential to augment asceticism of tobacco use.

Social interaction anxiety and perceived coping efficacy: Mechanisms of the association between minority stress and drinking consequences among sexual minority women

Sexual minority women (SMW; individuals who identify as women and as lesbian, bisexual, or with another sexual minority identity) are at increased risk for problematic alcohol use compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This increased risk has been attributed to minority stress. However, longitudinal research examining associations between minority stress and alcohol use outcomes is extremely limited and examinations of these associations at the daily level are nearly non-existent. Further, few longitudinal studies have examined mechanisms through which minority stress may impact alcohol use. We utilized data from a 14-day daily diary study of 98 SMW to examine daily-level associations between experiences of minority stress, alcohol consumption and consequences, and two proposed mediators of these associations (perceived coping efficacy, social interaction anxiety). Results indicated that on days when participants experienced minority stress events, they experienced lower coping efficacy, higher social interaction anxiety, and more drinking consequences than usual. Minority stress was not associated with same-day alcohol consumption. Perceived coping efficacy and social interaction anxiety mediated the same-day association between minority stress and drinking consequences. No prospective associations were significant, suggesting that studies with multiple assessments per day may be necessary to detect immediate effects of minority stress. Findings highlight the potential impact of daily experiences of minority stress on alcohol consequences and provide evidence that two general psychological processes may be mechanisms through which minority stress impacts alcohol consequences. These results provide evidence of a need for interventions that teach SMW skills for coping with minority stress and its psychological consequences.