Living as a minority anywhere in the world is stressful!
What is Stress?
Stress can be described as the mental or emotional tension that arises in response to challenging situations, whether they are physiological, biological, or psychological in nature. It represents an organism’s reaction to a stressor.
What is Minority Stress?
Minority stress is a term utilized to characterize the elevated stress experienced by individuals belonging to stigmatized minority communities. This concept encompasses the stressor and challenges related to an individual’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.
This theory synthesizes scientific research to elucidate how various social circumstances contribute to chronic stress and adverse health outcomes within minority populations. We all experience and feel stress at one point in time or another. However, general stress is distinct from minority stress. The concept of minority stress was first researched in LGB population in 2003.
3 Distinct Factors of Minority Stress
- Unique. 2) Chronic. 3)Socially Based.
- Minority Stress stands out because it isn’t a stressor universally experienced. While starting a new job can be stressful for anyone, the unique aspect of minority stress, such as the fear of mentioning one’s spouse due to the risk of being fired is specific to LGBT community.
- Chronic minority stress persists because it remains a relatively constant presence in an individual’s life, primarily due to underlying social and cultural systems.
- Minority stress is rooted in societal factors rather than being solely an individual experience. It arises from social systems, institutions, and structures that extend beyond specific events or circumstances typically associated with general stressor. For instance, when a transgender man or a non-binary individual goes to a doctor’s appointment, they may encounter stress similar to what anyone might feel. However, they may also have to contend with medical records that do not acknowledge their affirmed identities, leading to persistent misgendering during the appointment. This illustrates how minority stress is shaped by broader social contexts.
Conclusion
While the earliest research primarily centered on sexual and gender minorities, it is important to note that minority stress extends beyond these groups. It can be experienced by:
- People of Color
- Non-majority religious individuals
- Individuals with disabilities
Individuals belonging to multiple minority groups frequently encounter higher levels of minority stress compared to those who are part of a single minority group. Heterosexism, racism and varipous other forms of discrimination are tangible, systematic issues that impact numerous aspect of our world and our well-being, encompassing both physical and mental health.
References
Choosing Therapy(2021) Minority Stress
Meyer, I.H (2003) Prejudice, Social Stress, and Menrtal Health Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Population; Phycological Bulletin.
VerywellHealth, Minority Stress in Health Disparity.
Center for Community Practice, What is Mental Stress?
QueerCity Media 