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Report
Minority Stress and Physical Health Among Sexual Minority Individuals
February 2015
This study examined the effects of minority stress on the physical health of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual adults. Exposure to stress and health outcomes were determined via self-appraised physical health and external physical health assessment. It appeared in the Journal of Behavior Medicine in February 2015.
Highlights
Minority stress theory suggests that the stress resulting from prejudice and stigma puts sexual minorities at increased risk for health problems.
LGB people who experienced a prejudice-related event were three times more likely to have a serious physical health issue than those who had not.
Minority stress was associated with the onset of a physical health problem, such as cancer, flu, and hypertension.