Event Website
https://publichealth.lsuhsc.edu/honorsday/2022/
Start Date
2-4-2024 9:00 AM
Description
Background: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals face higher levels of stress than the general population in the form of minority stress, which are discriminatory, stigmatizing, and victimizing experiences. Minority stress has been suggested to be a factor that contributes to poorer smoking outcomes in LGBTQ populations, especially for those living in the Deep South states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The objective of this study was to elucidate how minority stress influences smoking among LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South, using a mixed methods approach. Methods: A one-time, cross-sectional online survey was administered to 1,296 LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South. Survey measurements included previously validated measures of minority stress (prejudice events, perceived stigma, and internalized queerphobia), mental health, social support, smoking, quitting, LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ norms, self-efficacy, and smoking outcome variables (stage of change and nicotine dependence level). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between minority stress variables and smoking outcome variables. To expound on how minority stress affects mental health and subsequent stage of change, we conducted 15 individual, semi-structured online interviews with LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South. Interview topics spanned across 5 domains: LGBTQ identity, smoking/quitting, minority stress, mental health, and social support. Results: Survey findings showed that after adjusting for covariates, increased levels of internalized queerphobia were significantly associated with increased nicotine dependence level, and decreased levels of perceived stigma were associated with further stage of change. Themes that emerged throughout interviews included: struggles with LGBTQ identity, coping with minority stress, reasons for smoking, and barriers to quitting smoking. Conclusion: This research elucidates how increased levels of minority stress is associated with poorer smoking outcomes among LGBTQ individuals in the Deep South. Findings will help guide future smoking prevention and cessation programs for this population.
Recommended Citation
Li, Mirandy S.; Mayeaux, Holly; Fritz, Jackson; Gonzalez, Gabrielle; Phillippi, Stephen; Trapido, Edward; Celestin, Michael; and Tseng, Tung Sung, "Minority Stress among LFBTQ Smokers in the Deep South: A Mixed Methods Study" (2024). School of Public Health Delta Omega Honors Day Poster Sessions. 4.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/dohd/2022/2022/4
Minority Stress among LFBTQ Smokers in the Deep South: A Mixed Methods Study
Background: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals face higher levels of stress than the general population in the form of minority stress, which are discriminatory, stigmatizing, and victimizing experiences. Minority stress has been suggested to be a factor that contributes to poorer smoking outcomes in LGBTQ populations, especially for those living in the Deep South states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The objective of this study was to elucidate how minority stress influences smoking among LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South, using a mixed methods approach. Methods: A one-time, cross-sectional online survey was administered to 1,296 LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South. Survey measurements included previously validated measures of minority stress (prejudice events, perceived stigma, and internalized queerphobia), mental health, social support, smoking, quitting, LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ norms, self-efficacy, and smoking outcome variables (stage of change and nicotine dependence level). Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between minority stress variables and smoking outcome variables. To expound on how minority stress affects mental health and subsequent stage of change, we conducted 15 individual, semi-structured online interviews with LGBTQ smokers in the Deep South. Interview topics spanned across 5 domains: LGBTQ identity, smoking/quitting, minority stress, mental health, and social support. Results: Survey findings showed that after adjusting for covariates, increased levels of internalized queerphobia were significantly associated with increased nicotine dependence level, and decreased levels of perceived stigma were associated with further stage of change. Themes that emerged throughout interviews included: struggles with LGBTQ identity, coping with minority stress, reasons for smoking, and barriers to quitting smoking. Conclusion: This research elucidates how increased levels of minority stress is associated with poorer smoking outcomes among LGBTQ individuals in the Deep South. Findings will help guide future smoking prevention and cessation programs for this population.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/dohd/2022/2022/4