We're Here, We're Queer, and We're Stressed: Using the Minority Stress Model to Explore the Impact of Queer Readings on Mental Health Among Sexual Minority Youth

Abstract

Research shows that sexual minority youth are at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes (Goldbach & Gibbs, 2017; Kann et al., 2017; The Trevor Project, 2019). According to the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003), such disparities are proportionately related to their experiences of sexual minority stress (e.g., discrimination, internalized homonegativity). The effects of minority stress on adverse mental health outcomes can be mitigated through coping and social support resources (Griffin et al., 2004; Toomey et al., 2018). While coping and support resources are empirically supported within the minority stress model, empirical research has yet to explore the role of rescripted or subverted mainstream media messages in such relationships. In light of this, the current dissertation examined a novel coping mechanism (i.e., queer readings), which was theorized to moderate the impact of minority stress and negative mental health among sexual minority youth. Scholars posit that media texts are polysemic (i.e., open to multiple interpretations; Hall & Jefferson, 1993; Nylund, 2007) and typically promote governing societal norms (Hall, 1973). Popular media represent a social institution within Western cultures in which dominant societal values, norms, and expectations are spread. Due to their marginalized position within society, sexual minority individuals are frequently underrepresented by mainstream media messages. One way in which marginalized individuals can challenge the dominant, heteronormative discourse is through subversive/queer readings in which individuals interpret messages against heteronormative ideals (Doty, 1993). Ultimately, this allows sexual minority youth to re-script mainstream media messages to fit within their experiences. In the current dissertation, I suggested that this process, referred to as queer readings, may help alleviate the impact of minority stress on negative mental health outcomes. In other words, queer readings create opportunities and spaces for sexual minority youth to explore their inner needs and desires, which may provide unique coping resources and support. In particular, I theorized that queer readings may promote resilience. That is, queer readings may be a skill that help sexual minority youth to overcome a variety of marginalized experiences. To test these propositions, three studies were conducted. To start, a baseline survey and in-depth interviews with sexual minority, emerging adults (18-27 years old) were conducted. The primary goal of Study 1a and Study 1b was to explicate the queer reading process in order to develop a measure to capture this phenomenon. Results from Study 1a demonstrated that queer readings are a relatively common practice among sexual minority individuals, and provided nine themes related to the uses and gratifications of queer readings. The nine themes informed the construction of the interview protocol for Study 1b. Study 2 aimed to construct a scale to measure the uses and gratifications of queer readings. Eight uses and gratifications of queer readings emerged across the interviews in Study 1b and were used to generate items for the Queer Reading Scale in Study 2. Overall, the results of Study 2 support the factor structure of the 26-item Queer Reading Scale with six subscales indicating different types of queer readings: Queer Readings for Comfort, Queer Readings to Find a Community, Queer Readings to Process Emotions, Queer Readings to Escape, Queer Readings for Hope, and Queer Readings for Validation. Finally, Study 3 comprised of a cross-sectional survey (N = 527) with sexual minority youth to test queer readings within the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003). Primarily negative or null results were found for the role of queer readings as a coping mechanism against minority stress and negative mental health outcomes. Directly, Queer Readings to Escape and Queer Readings for Validation predicted negative mental health outcomes. Within the minority stress model (Meyer, 2003), Queer Readings to Process Emotions and Queer Readings to Escape exacerbated the effects of minority stress on adverse mental health. Queer readings were also tested as a predictor of resilience within the hypothesized model with primarily negative or null results. Lastly, the present dissertation provided cautionary support for the moderating role of fandom community engagement on queer readings to find a community and resilience, as well as self-esteem. For adolescents involved in a fandom community, the simple slopes trend suggested that the effect of queer readings on resilience and self-esteem was heightened.