How discrimination and stress impact the mental health of young sexual minority men

A Rutgers Health analysis of participants over three years finds discrimination, stigma and chronic stress contribute to anxiety, depression, PTSD and substance use disparities

Young sexual minority men face higher rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use compared with their heterosexual peers, according to Rutgers Health researchers.

In their study, published in the journal Youth, the researchers found discrimination, internalized homophobia and perceived stress are significantly associated with poorer mental health outcomes and increased substance use.

“Discrimination had the largest impact on the severity of all mental health outcomes,” said Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health and senior author of the study. “This may be because of the external nature of discrimination, which is less controllable by the individual compared to the other, more internal-facing stressors.”

Read mote on the original article : https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1104035