Retrospective coping strategies during sexual identity formation and current biopsychosocial stress.

作者信息

Juster Robert-Paul, Ouellet Émilie, Lefebvre-Louis Jean-Philippe, Sindi Shireen, Johnson Philip Jai, Smith Nathan Grant, Lupien Sonia J

机构信息

a Centre for Studies on Human Stress , Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal , 7401 Hochelaga, Pavilion Louis Riel, Montreal , QC H1N 3M5 , Canada.

b Integrated Program in Neuroscience , McGill University , Montreal , QC , Canada.

出版信息

Anxiety Stress Coping. 2016;29(2):119-38. doi: 10.1080/10615806.2015.1004324. Epub 2015 Feb 16.

BACKGROUND

Lesbian, gay men, and bisexual individuals (LGBs) often experience distress related to the recognition, self-acceptance, and disclosure of their sexual orientation.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN

Retrospectively reported coping strategies enacted during sexual identity formation among LGBs were assessed in relation to current stress indices measured using environmental (frequency of perceived daily hassles), psychological (perceived distress), and biological (allostatic load [AL] levels representing physiological dysregulations) perspectives.

METHODS

Forty-six healthy LGBs between the ages of 18 and 45 (M = 23.91, SE = .80) participated. Questionnaires included the Ways of Coping Checklist adapted to disclosure milestones, Daily Hassles Inventory, and Perceived Stress Scale. AL was calculated using 21 biomarkers of neuroendocrine, immune, cardiovascular, and metabolic functioning.

RESULTS

Avoidance coping during sexual identity formation was positively associated with frequency of daily hassles (β = .598, p < .001), perceived stress (β = .361, p = .015), and AL (β = .405, p = .006). By contrast, seeking social support was negatively associated with perceived stress (β = -.598, p = .048).

CONCLUSIONS

Emotion-focused coping strategies during LGB sexual identity development are associated with current indices of biopsychosocial stress.