Date on Senior Honors Thesis

4-2025

Document Type

Senior Honors Thesis

Degree Name

B.S.

Cooperating University

University of Louisville

Department

Psychological and Brain Sciences

Degree Program

College of Arts and Sciences

Author's Keywords

SGM; LGBTQ health; decision making; SGM stress

Abstract

Introduction: Research on sexual and gender minorities demonstrates a significant relationship between identity related stress and risky sexual behavior. Minority stress theory claims that stressors unique to the sexual and gender minority community may explain the high prevalence rates and the risk of negative health outcomes, including risky sexual behaviors. With the observed high stress levels within this community, sexual and gender minority stress may be a significant risk factor and may explain the origins of risky sexual behaviors, as well as provide insight into a population that is understudied. Method: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between sexual and gender minority stress and risky sexual behaviors (k= 19, N=15,393). Results: Overall, sexual and gender minority stress was significantly positively related to sexual risk behavior (r=0.343). Contrary to our hypothesis, exploratory analyses found no significant difference between proximal and distal SGM stressors, sexual minority stress and gender minority stress. Additionally, gender identity did not significantly affect the relationship in comparison to sexual identity. Conclusion: Overall, the results of this meta-analysis support that SGM stress is a significant risk factor for risky sexual behavior.

Lay Summary

Lay Summary

When someone is trying to manage a lot of stress, they may make decisions they would not normally make as a way to cope with that stress. As stress negatively impacts an individual, it becomes more likely they will use their coping skills. Sexual risk behavior (SRB) can be used as a way to cope. SRB is a kind of risk taking that includes any sexual act that received questionable consent or that could result in harm. If this behavior isn’t changed, it can lead to negative health outcomes, like contracting an STD.

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are a group of concern for the consequences of SRB. SGM individuals experience unique stress- called minority and/or SGM stress- that is related to their SGM identity. SGM stress can stem from events happening in the world (distal), like discrimination, or from within the individual (proximal), like internalized homophobia. As a result of SGM stress, one may engage in SRB, putting them at risk for negative health outcomes.

Current studies have found a positive relationship between SGM stress and SRB, but there has been no meta-analysis to explore the literature on this relationship and its nuances. The purpose and focus of our research is to better understand the direction and strength of the relationship between SGM stress and SRB in studies that are currently published.

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