Coping and Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals tend to have poor health, which is partially attributable to distal (external) and proximal (internal) stressors related to their SGM identity (Gendron et al. 2013; Steele et al., 2017). SGM stressors may be managed by using ameliorative coping processes (e.g., visiting doctor’s offices, reaching out to others), however reaching out to healthcare facilities may result in exacerbation of SGM stress (Hayman, Wilkes, Halcomb, & Jackson, 2013; Radix, Lelutiu-Weinberger, & Gamarel, 2014). The current study had participants complete measures related to SGM stress, coping processes, and health status problems. Proximal stressors were examined as a mediator between distal stressors and health status problems, and coping processes were examined as a moderator between SGM stressors and health status problems. Results will be discussed in a theoretical context. Limitations and future research directions will also be addressed.