Can we live in peace when we belong to a minority? Not exactlyaccording to the concept of minority stresstheorized in 2003 by the American epidemiologist and legal scholar on sexual orientation Ilan H. Meyer.
This describes a level of further stress suffered by people belonging to racial, gender or even sexual minorities. The result is a higher than normal level of chronic stress caused by prejudice, discrimination or even violence. A stress that dominant groups are not used to experiencing.
At the origin of the analysis: the stress experienced by LGBTQI+ people
Minority stress is therefore very different from everyday stress. The researcher analyzed this concept by taking LGBTQI+ people as the object of study. To do this, he distinguished two types of stress.
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He was the first to distinguish what he called stress” distal “. This is caused by external elements. Know the weight of prejudice, discrimination and even LGBTphobic violence in public spaces, in the professional world or even from loved ones. Therefore, LGBTQI+ people expect and prepare to experience discrimination very early in their lives and almost on a daily basis. And for good reason, in France, LGBTphobic violence is in “ worrying increase », according to a report by SOS Homophobia published in May 2023.
The second type of stress analyzed is called “ proximal »: this would be self-inflicted by people belonging to the LGBTQI+ community, due to “distal” stress.. So these individuals would isolate themselves and want it at all costs stands out of their community, to avoid suffering discrimination and prejudice.
The consequences of minority stress
Two types of stress which then have an enormous cost on the physical and psychological health of LGBTQI+ people. Because according to Ilan H. Meyer, people belonging to minorities suffer more health problems than normal due to these two stressors.
THE physical consequences they are exemplified by high blood pressure, increased anxiety, insomnia, habitual weight gain or loss, or even headaches.
THE psychological consequences, are characterized by isolation, depression or even suicide attempts. According to a University College London (UCL) study published in June 2023, gay, lesbian and bisexual people are twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviour.
Furthermore, all these phenomena, and the fear of discrimination and prejudice on the part of medical personnel, lead individuals to abandon take care, noted Santé Publique France in a study published in 2021.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
