The Mental Health of Multiethnic Sexual Minority Girls: The Role of Risks, Stress and Self-Efficacy

Schedule:
Friday, January 16, 2015: 9:20 AM
La Galeries 3, Second Floor (New Orleans Marriott)
* noted as presenting author
Shelley L. Craig, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Lauren McInroy, MSW, Doctoral Student and Research Coordinator, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Ashley Austin, PhD, Assistant Professor, Barry University, Boca Raton, FL
Edward J. Alessi, PhD, Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Background and Purpose:

Multiethnic sexual minority girls (MSMG) are vulnerable to health and mental health risks, such as depression, suicide, self-harm, and stress resulting from a “triple jeopardy” of (1) sexual, (2) racial and (3) gender marginalization, yet remain virtually unstudied. Such populations are considered to experience a unique form of minority stress wherein exposure to stigma-related stressors may negatively impact emotional coping processes and exacerbate risks – thereby further increasing disparities in mental health outcomes. Numerous stressors compounded by elevated risk behaviors and low levels of self-efficacy may significantly contribute to increased levels of psychological distress among MSMG.  The purpose of this study was to create a health profile of MSMG and identify contributors to their mental health.

Methods:

Data was part of a larger mixed-methods project undertaken in the south-eastern United States from 2011-2012. Participants (n=116) were MSMG recruited through a community organization delivering services to sexual minority youth in an urban environment. Participants, ages 13-21 (x=16.8) were predominantly Hispanic (61%) and Black non-Hispanic (34%) and identified primarily as lesbian (47%) and bisexual (32%). MSMG completed structured, comprehensive psychosocial assessments developed in cooperation with the community organization, which included questions about a wide variety of risk factors. In addition, self-efficacy was measured using The General Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995).  Three phases of analysis were conducted using SPSS (V. 22): (1) a health profile categorized into six distinct domains, (2) biserial correlations, and (3) logistic regression. 

 Results:

A mental health profile of participants was created which identified a wide range and high prevalence of risks, including those related to: (1) physical health, (2) behavioural health, (3) abuse and victimization, (4) sexual health, and (5) school. Biserial correlations revealed interesting demographic differences.  For example, being Hispanic was positively correlated with a lack of family acceptance (.202) and substance abuse (.298), while being African-American was negatively correlated with substance abuse (-.398), all at (p<.01). The logistic regression model examining factors contributing to self-reported poor mental health among MSMG was statistically significant (χ2= 50.167/ 7, p<.001), reflecting a fairly strong relationship (Nagelkerke’s R2=.503). Based on minority stress theory, this clinical study found that the odds of self-reported poor mental health were 5 times higher for each unit increase in stress, (OR=5.5; 95% CI=1.6, 18.9), almost 7 times higher for sexual abuse (OR=6.7; 95% CI=1.9, 23.3), 3 times higher for substance abuse (OR=3.1; CI= 1.0, 9.1); and 4 times higher for academic problems (OR=4.3; CI=1.3, 13.7). Younger age (OR=.639; CI=.438, .931) was also associated with increased reports of mental health problems, while higher rates of self-efficacy (OR=.906; CI=.821, .998) significantly decreased the likelihood of poor mental health.

 

Conclusions and Implications:

MSMG experience distinct health and social risk factors that may negatively impact their mental health. Policy-makers and practitioners should strive to reduce the disparities MSMG experience through the provision of evidence-informed strengths-based approaches that address risks associated with intersecting minority identities and enhance self-efficacy. Recommendations for research with vulnerable population will be offered.