Moderating effects of minority stress on the association between adherence to norms of masculinity and psychological well-being in a diverse sample of gay male emerging adults.

Minority stress theory proposes that sexual minority mental health disparities can be largely explained by stressors induced by heterosexist culture, which often results in a lifetime of discrimination. Because gay men’s experiences reflect both being gay and being men, it is important to account for the intersection of their masculinity and sexual orientation. Adherence to norms of masculinity is known to contribute to poorer psychosocial adjustment among heterosexual men, but this relationship has not been sufficiently studied among gay men. In the present study, we explored a two-way interaction between minority stress and masculinity norm adherence relative to mental well-being. In an international online survey of a culturally diverse sample of 207 gay men aged 18–25 years, we assessed history of heterosexist discrimination (i.e., minority stress); adherence to masculinity norms of emotional stoicism, self-reliance, and toughness; mental well-being (self-esteem and depressive symptoms); and sociodemographic characteristics. Minority stress and adherence to norms of self-reliance and emotional stoicism were positively associated with depressive symptoms and negatively associated with self-esteem. Additionally, minority stress moderated the relationship between adherence to norms of masculinity and depressive symptoms, such that those men reporting higher levels of minority stress and higher adherence to norms of self-reliance and emotional stoicism had more depressive symptoms. Minority stress exacerbated the adverse association between masculinity norm adherence and depressive symptoms. Promoting diverse expressions of masculinity among young gay men (e.g., emotional openness and interdependence) and bolstering minority stress resilience and coping skills could be useful in the treatment of depressive symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) <strong xmlns:lang="en">Public Significance Statement—This online survey study of young gay men found that minority stress might worsen the adverse relationship between adherence to masculinity norms (e.g., emotional stoicism and self-reliance) and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that promoting resilience against minority stress and nurturing more diverse expressions of masculinity (e.g., emotional openness and interdependence) might remedy mental health symptoms among gay men. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)