Minority stress theory is a framework that explains how individuals from stigmatized social groups—such as sexual and gender minorities—experience chronic stress due to their marginalized status. This stress arises from external factors like discrimination, prejudice, and violence (distal stressors), as well as internal processes such as concealment, internalized stigma, and expectations of rejection (proximal stressors). These stressors are additive to general life stress and contribute to health disparities, particularly in mental health outcomes. The theory emphasizes that these stressors are socially produced and rooted in systemic inequality, rather than being inherent to minority identities.
Post Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
References
Frost, D. M., & Meyer, I. H. (2023). Minority stress theory: Application, critique, and continued relevance. Current Opinion in Psychology, 51, Article 101579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101579
Meyer, I. H., Russell, S. T., Hammack, P. L., Frost, D. M., & Wilson, B. D. M. (2021). Minority stress, distress, and suicide attempts in three cohorts of sexual minority adults: A U.S. probability sample. PLOS ONE, 16(3), e0246827. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246827
Nguyen, T. V., & Pepping, C. A. (2022). Minority stress and romantic relationship functioning in transgender and gender diverse individuals. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(2), 345–366. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211045678
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