Utilizing Latent Class Analysis to Assess the Association of Intersectional Stigma on Mental Health Outcomes Among Young Adult Black, Indigenous, and Sexual Minority Women of Color

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Casey D. Xavier Hall, Florida State University; Rachel Harris, Florida State University; Paul Burns, University of Mississippi; Candace Girod, Independent Researcher, Atlanta; Kathryn Yount, Emory University; Frankie Y. Wong, Florida State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-08-30
• Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Publishers
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Casey D. Xavier Hall et al., 2023; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1089%2Flgbt.2022.0083
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: LGBT Health
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 463
• End Page: 470
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was funded by the Lesbian Health Fund from the GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality.
• Keywords: BIPOC; sexual minority women; intersectionality; discrimination; intersectional stigma; depression; stress
• Research Categories: Gender Studies; Sociology, Public and Social Welfare; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies

Abstract

Purpose: Discrimination has detrimental effects on mental health, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and people of color who are also sexual minority women (BIPOC SMW); however, measurement of multiple intersecting forms of discrimination (e.g., race, gender, and sexual identity discrimination among BIPOC SMW) poses methodological challenges. This analysis uses latent class analysis (LCA) to examine the influences of discrimination on mental health in a convenience sample of BIPOC SMW. Methods: Online survey data from BIPOC SMW aged 18–29 years (n = 324) were used to estimate latent classes for discrimination type (race, gender, and sexual identity). Data for this study were collected from July to October 2018. Adjusted linear regressions examined the influences of discrimination profiles on perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Results: Utilizing LCA, the following four classes emerged: (1) low discrimination; (2) mid-level discrimination; (3) high racial, medium gender, and low sexual identity discrimination; (4) high discrimination. Classes 3 and 4 were positively associated with perceived stress and depressive symptoms relative to Class 1 in adjusted models. Conclusion: This analysis highlights the importance of intersectionality and the adverse impact of multiple forms of discrimination on mental health outcomes for BIPOC SMW. Respondents reporting higher levels of racial or multiple forms of discrimination had poorer mental health outcomes. LCA is a promising analytical tool for investigating intersectional stigma and discrimination. There is an urgent need to develop tailored, culturally appropriate intersectional mental health interventions to address the multiple identities and oppressions faced by BIPOC SMW.