Minority stress and sexual minorities of colour: the mediating role of mastery

Abstract

ABSTRACT The minority stress model states that routine forms of discrimination are associated with adverse health consequences. Despite this well-supported association, there is a limited body of research applying this model for sexual minorities of colour. We utilise an intersectional approach to investigate how minority stress at the intersection of sexual and racial identities impacts psychological health outcomes. In the current study, we examine how various sources of minority stress (perceived stigma, internalised homophobia, and everyday discrimination) are associated with psychological health, through an indirect effect of mastery (Study 1) in addition to authenticity (Study 2) in two independent samples of sexual minorities of colour. Study 1 (n = 262) included sexual minorities of colour from Project STRIDE, and in Study 2, participants (n = 75) were recruited across several online platforms. Mediation analyses revealed that increased minority stressors, like discrimination, were significantly associated with a decrease in psychological health, through a decline in mastery. We did not find support for authenticity as a mediator. This study has important implications for understanding the experiences and health consequences for sexual minorities of colour.