Perceived discrimination is disproportionally associated with sexual minority mental health: Implications for non-monosexual sexual minorities

Abstract

We explored how perceived discrimination and mental illness change as a function of mono vs non-monosexual minority identity. Archival data gathered through the Healthy Minds Network was used to examine these relationships between 249 mono and 554 non-monosexual minority individuals. Results indicated no differences in perceived discrimination between mono and non-monosexual minority individuals. Non-monosexual individuals evidenced significantly higher rates of mental health problems. Moderation analyses suggested perceived discrimination was a significant predictor of mental illness symptoms only for non-monosexual minority individuals. Clinical implication, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• LGBTQ mental health
• sexual minority mental health
• discrimination
• minority stress
• non-monosexual minorities

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The data used for this study is open access, and available for review from the Healthy Minds Network.