Effects of sexual and gender minority stress on depressive symptoms among adolescents of color in the United States

Microaggressions Toward Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults: An Updated Systematic Review of Psychological Correlates and Outcomes and the Role of Intersectionality

Purpose: Quantitative data on the psychological effects of microaggressions toward sexual and gender minority individuals have grown substantially. Sexual orientation-based and transgender and gender-diverse (trans+) identity-based microaggressions have been thematically identified in prior research. In addition, combined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse, queer/questioning, and other non-heterosexual (LGBTQ) microaggressions can be examined intersectionally with other marginalized identities. This systematic review synthesizes research on the relationships among these microaggressions and psychological correlates and outcomes. Methods: Forty-five quantitative studies examining sexual orientation-, trans+ identity-, or intersectional identity-based microaggressions and various psychological outcomes were identified from systematic searches of PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases. Data regarding microaggressions were extracted, synthesized, and grouped by mental health outcome or correlate. Results: Sexual orientation-based microaggressions were risk factors for depression, anxiety, and internalized stigma and were positively associated with psychological distress, traumatic stress symptoms, alcohol use and abuse, cannabis use and problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Trans+ identity-based microaggressions were positively associated with depression, suicide attempt, and cannabis use. LGBTQ intersectional identity-based microaggressions concerning race/ethnicity were associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Research on other intersectional identity-based microaggressions is scarce. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the psychological harm inflicted by various microaggressions on LGBTQ late adolescents and early adults. Future work should focus on microaggressions toward individuals with trans+ and intersectional identities and protective factors for these experiences. This review also highlights the distinct need for community-based research on implementing microintervention strategies in family, school, and work environments to mitigate the harmful effects of these microaggressions.

Etiology Beliefs About Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (EB-SGM): Validation with College Students, Community Adults, and Pediatric Healthcare Providers

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth are at risk for adverse health outcomes because of stigma and discrimination exposure. Individuals' beliefs about the biological origin of SGM identity are linked to their negative attitudes and biases against SGM populations, which can also apply to pediatric healthcare providers. The current study outlines validation of the Etiology Beliefs about Sexual and Gender Minority Youth (EB-SGM) scale, a 12-item measure designed to assess adults' beliefs about youths' biological versus environmental SGM etiology. College students (N = 285; study 1), community adults (N = 258; study 2), and pediatric providers (N = 104; study 3) completed the EB-SGM and other self-report measures. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in study 1 revealed a three-factor structure: beliefs about gender nonconforming behavior, beliefs about gender identity, and beliefs about sexual attraction/behavior. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in study 2 suggested a bi-factor structure, which was replicated in study 3. The EB-SGM demonstrated adequate concurrent and discriminant validity. We also examined bivariate correlations between etiology beliefs and sociodemographic characteristics across samples. Findings indicate that EB-SGM is a psychometrically sound instrument to measure adults' etiology beliefs. The EB-SGM has the potential to be used as a screening measure to enhance pediatric healthcare providers' SGM training.