Gay and Lesbian Experiences of Discrimination, Health, and Well-Being: Surrounding the Presidential Election. Issue 2 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garrison, S. Mason; Doane, Michael J.; Elliott, Marta
• Is Part Of: Social psychological & personality science. Volume 9:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: discrimination -- sexual orientation -- American politics -- health disparities -- minority stress model; Personality -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 155.2
• DOI: 10.1177/1948550617732391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1948-5506

Abstract

Sexual minorities have poorer mental and physical health than heterosexuals; these health disparities are consistently attributed to discrimination. However, the mechanisms linking discrimination with health outcomes remain unclear. This exploratory study examines whether fast-acting mechanisms, like the minority stress model's "stressful social environment[s], " contribute to these disparities by exploiting the unanticipated election of Donald Trump on November 8, 2016. Gay men and lesbians participated in a 10-day longitudinal daily-diary study, beginning the day before the election (November 7–16, 2016). On the day after the election, participants reported immediate changes in health (e.g., depression, Cohen's d = 1.33; illness, 0.44), well-being (e.g., happiness, −0.91), and discrimination (0.45). The immediacy and magnitude of participants' responses are consistent with the minority stress model. This study provides a window into the experiences of gay men and lesbians, and illustrates how minority stresses, such as political uncertainty and discrimination, may impact vulnerable sexual minorities.