Carrie Lee

John L. Oliffe

[...]

Olivier Ferlatte

(2017)
Abstract

Gay men show altered psychobiological stress responses and exhibit a higher
prevalence of mental disorders than their heterosexual counterparts. Both of
these findings are likely due to gay-specific discrimination. Since it has not yet
been determined whether gay-specific stress is more noxious than general
stress, we tested whether gay men react more strongly to gay-specific socially
stressful stimuli than to general socially stressful stimuli. N = 33 self-identified
gay men (mean = 26.12 years of age, SD = 5.89), 63.6% of whom were in a
relationship with a man, participated in an experimental within-group study,
in which they were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) as well as a
gay-specific TSST in a randomized order. Salivary cortisol and testosterone
were assessed at five time points during the laboratory tests and perceived
stress was assessed at four time points. According to psychobiological and
perceived stress indices, the participants reacted similarly to a gay-specific
and general social stressor. There were no significant differences in the
outcomes, either when looking at pre–post-test differences or when
comparing the overall stress responses. Given that the response to a gay-
specific social stressor was equally pronounced as the one to a general social
stressor, programs aiming to decrease minority stress but overlooking general
stress are likely to yield only partial improvements in gay men’s mental health.
Instead, we suggest helping gay men cope with both forms of stress through
building social support, assertiveness, and mindfulness skills, as well as
decreasing emotional dysregulation.

Conclusion
Since gay men were found to respond similarly to gay-related and general
stressors, minority-stress research as well as interventions with gay men
should take general stressors into account. Furthermore, future research
should investigate whether a proliferation from gay-related to general
stressors exist.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-021-02380-6?
utm_source=getftr&utm_medium=getftr&utm_campaign=getftr_pilot

Antonio Petruzzella

Brian A. Feinstein

[...]

Justin A. Lavner

(2020)

Gay men experience various stressors, including gay-specific stressors such as discrimination and
internalized homonegativity as well as general stressors such as occupational and financial strain. While
a robust literature has examined how gay-specific stressors are associated with negative mental health
outcomes among gay men, less attention has been paid to the association between general stress and
gay men’s psychological functioning or to how different types of stressors may interact to affect
functioning. The current study sought to address this gap by examining the unique and combined
associations between gay-specific external stress (discrimination), gay-specific internal stress (rejection
sensitivity, internalized homonegativity, sexual identity concealment), and general stressors (e.g.,
academic difficulties) and negative affect and alcohol use over time. A total of 147 self-identified gay
men living in the greater New York City area participated in a baseline assessment and a 7-week diary
study. Univariate and multivariate results revealed that gay-specific external stress, gay-specific internal
stress, and general stress were each positively and uniquely associated with higher mean levels of and
greater fluctuations in negative affect over time, and general stress was positively associated with
greater fluctuations in alcohol use over time. Multiplicative analyses indicated that individuals reporting
high levels of stress in multiple domains experienced particularly high mean levels of negative affect.
These findings highlight the unique contribution of general stress to gay men’s functioning over time
and underscore the importance of considering multiple forms of stress (i.e., gay-specific and general
stress) and their interactions to better understand gay men’s psychological functioning.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-020-01672-4
Jack Thepsourinthone

Tinashe Dune

[...]

Amit Arora

(2020)

Due to the heterosexist ideals associated with gender norms, gay men often experience negative
attitudes towards their own sexuality—internalized homophobia. As a result, gay men often feel
compelled to compensate for their perceived lack of masculinity. The study aimed to investigate the
relationship and predictive power of masculinity on gay men’s experiences of internalized homophobia.
A sample of 489 self-identified Australian gay men 18–72 years old participated in an online survey on
masculinity and homosexuality. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and sequential multiple
regressions were used to test the study’s aims. Sequential multiple regressions revealed that conformity
to masculine norms and threats to masculinity contingency were stronger predictors of internalized
homophobia over and above demographic and other factors. Given the already known psychological
risks associated with social isolation, internalized homophobia, and the poor mental health outcomes
associated with sexual minority groups, it is suggested that gay men who are experiencing high degrees
of internalized homophobia should not be distancing themselves from other gay men but, conversely,
seek a strong relationship with the LGBTI community.

Currently, there exists limited research explicitly examining masculinity and internalized homophobia
[15,35,36]. The current paper is an exploration into the phenomenon of internalized homophobia and its
socio-ecological underpinnings whereby discussion focused mainly on factors within the micro-, meso-,
and macro-systems. Future studies, however, may wish to examine factors outside of those discussed
and may wish to examine other LGBTI identities. Conceptions of heteronormative masculinity are
argued to contribute negatively to non-heteronormative (LGBTI) individuals who abide by them whilst
engagement with LGBTI communities is argued to support more positive outcomes for gay men and
alleviate gender-related strains experienced. It is hoped that the current findings contribute to the
empirical study of masculinity in the context of LGTI individuals and the development of policies and
support services, notably LGBTI youth. Future studies are urged to expand upon the knowledge and
understanding acquired from the present study, particularly in relation to internalized homophobia and
interpersonal relations.

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