Minority stress among LGB people: Investigating relations among distal and proximal stressors

Research among lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) individuals often distinguishes between distal (e.g., discrimination) and proximal (e.g., expectations of rejection, internalized homophobia, and concealment) stressors. There are few longitudinal studies, however, testing the causal distal-proximal link. The present study examined these proposed associations among a sample of 192 LGB adults. Cross-lagged structural equation modeling revealed that each stressor was stable over 1 month. Also, Time 1 discrimination negatively predicted Time 2 concealment, but Time 1 expectations of rejection positively predicted Time 2 discrimination and concealment. Time 1 concealment positively predicted Time 2 internalized homophobia. Our results suggest the need for further evaluation of the distal-proximal distinction. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.