What is sexual minority stress and who does it affect?

• A. Financial stress experienced by minoritized groups
• B. Additional stress from stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ youth
• C. Stress from societal expectations affecting heterosexual youths
• D. Stress due to academic pressures on adolescents

Answer: (B)

Sexual minority stress refers to the extra pressure that arises when a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is stigmatized by society. This includes real experiences of stigma and discrimination, as well as expectations of rejection, concealment of one’s identity, and internalized negative beliefs about being LGBTQ+. In adolescence, these stressors often come from peers, school, and family environments and can contribute to mental health challenges and risk behaviors. The option describing additional stress from stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ youth best fits this concept because it identifies both the source of the stress (stigma and discrimination) and the affected group (LGBTQ+ youth). Other choices describe stressors that are not specific to sexual minority status.