Microaggressions based on sexual orientation and the mental health of gay men youth in three Mexican Cities
J. C. Mendoza-Pérez, J. C. Trejo-Hernández, R. A. Olmedo-Neri, J. I. Vega-Cauich, I. Lozano-Verduzco & S. Craig
Highlights
Background
Gay men in Mexico have increasingly recognized and exercised their human rights in the last decade, however, discrimination persists: 56% of gay male participants in the National Survey on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination (ENDOSIG, 2018) report discrimination due to their sexual orientation.
Gay men are subject to a unique and specific stress known as minority stress, leading to the concealment of sexual orientation, less adaptive coping mechanisms, and thus mental health deterioration (Gómez & Barrientos Delgado, 2012; Lyons, 2016; Mendoza-Pérez & Ortiz-Hernández, 2019, 2020; Pereira & Costa, 2016; Pineda Roa, 2013).
Discrimination towards gay men in Mexico is occurring in more subtle microaggressions. Despite this increased subtly, microaggressions have mental and physical health effects comparable to direct violence (Nadal et al., 2011, 2014).
Study Description
A sample of 26 self-identified cisgender gay men aged 16 to 29 years old (M = 23.7) participated in small focus groups in three Mexican cities (Monterrey, Nuevo León; Mexico City; and Mérida, Yucatán). Participant experience was investigated in three periods of their lives: childhood (up to 11 years), adolescence (ages 12 to 17 years), and young adulthood (ages 18 to 29).
This study aimed to answer two research questions:
What are the microaggressions that have mental health implications at the cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels in the different life stages of the participants
What are the spaces (family homes, schools, streets, cafeterias, restaurants, or shopping malls) where microaggressions are experienced?
Data collection was conducted in the native language of the participants (Spanish) and carried out under the perspective of Qualitative Content Analysis.
Key Findings
Participants reported experiencing microaggressions at every period of life. These microaggressions were found to consistently affect all three levels of mental health implications: cognitive, affective, and behavioural.
Violence was found to be experienced more frequently in the family home and at school, possibly due to the recurrent nature of these spaces in a young person’s life.
The frequency of microaggressions increased as gay men grew up rather than dissipating or disappearing. Consistent with other research on gay men and other sexual minorities, experiences of microaggressions are related to mental health problems such as stress, depression, suicide ideation, or attempts (Kaufman et al., 2017; Mendoza-Pérez & Ortiz-Hernández, 2021; Nadal et al., 2011; Ortiz-Hernández & Valencia-Valero, 2015).
The use of affective, cognitive, and behavioural aspects of mental health in Latin American studies is only recent; research was developed mainly in Anglo-Saxon contexts. By analyzing these categories in the Mexican context, professionals can potentially assist LGBTQ+ youth in better ways.
