Discrimination, relationship quality, and the mental health of sexual minority men in relationships

Mental health disparities among sexual minority men (SMM) are commonly studied in the context of minority stress theory. The psychological mediation hypothesis posits that stigma is adversely associated with mental health in part through disruptions in interpersonal relationships. This study tested models hypothesizing internalized, enacted, and relationship-focused stigma would be associated with mental health through diminished relationship quality in a sample of SMM in relationships. A sample of 192 cisgender SMM (aged 18 to 35 and in a relationship with an adult cisgender man) responded to advertisements on social and sexual networking applications and completed survey assessments as part of the baseline for a larger randomized controlled trial. Results of path model analysis indicated that internalized, enacted, and relationship stigma were all in some way associated with one or more indicators of relationship quality. In turn, one indicator of relationship quality - barriers to leaving the relationship - was associated with depression and anxiety. Both internalized heterosexism and relationship marginalization were positively associated with depression and anxiety through indirect pathways involving the perception of barriers to leaving the relationship. Results generally aligned with minority stress theory and the psychological mediation hypothesis specifically. Existing interventions that address the impact of coping with stigma for sexual and gender minority people are presently focused on individuals. The development of relevant interventions for those in relationships would help to address extant mental health disparities in this population.

Mediation · Mental health · Minority stress · Psychological Testing · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Test (biology) · Transgender · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy