Gay-related stress and emotional distress among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: a longitudinal examination.
The longitudinal relations between gay-related stress (i.e., gay-related stressful events, negative attitudes toward homosexuality, and discomfort with homosexuality) and emotional distress (i.e., anxious symptoms, depressive symptoms, and conduct problems) were examined at 3 assessment periods (baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) among 140 gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths. Although some findings were consistent with the hypothesis that stress would be associated with subsequent distress among GLB youths, the larger number of nonsignificant relations and the presence of relations between distress and subsequent gay-related stress indicate that the hypothesis was unsupported. The authors discuss the potential reasons for the lack of hypothesized relations and offer suggestions for future research.
Rosario
Margaret
M
Department of Psychology, The City University of New York, City College and Graduate Center, New York 10031, USA.
Schrimshaw
Eric W
EW
Hunter
Joyce
J
Gwadz
Marya
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*