(PS3-91) Young Black and Latino Sexual Minority Men’s Responses to the Minority Stress Model in the Context of Lgbtq-affirmative CBT

Introduction: In the United States, young Black and Latino sexual minority men (YBLSMM) face mental health challenges resulting from minority stress, contributing to mental health disparities relative to White SMM. LGBTQ-affirmative cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which directly addresses sexual minority stress, is an evidence-based intervention for addressing mental health concerns affecting YBLSMM. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which YBLSMM incorporated other aspects of their identities, beyond their sexual minority identity, to comprehend and apply the minority stress model to their lives in the context of LGBTQ-affirmative CBT.

Methods: Participants included 20 YBLSMM in Miami, FL, and New York City, NY who participated in a trial of LGBTQ-affirmative CBT. We transcribed participants’ sessions of LGBTQ affirmative CBT in which their therapist presented and discussed with them the minority stress model underlying the treatment. We conducted a qualitative analysis of these transcribed sessions to answer our research question, “How do Black and Latino men respond to the minority stress model when it is presented to them in LGBTQ-affirmative CBT, in the context of their other minoritized identity statuses?”

Results: Qualitative analysis yielded six themes related to how YBLSMM applied the minority stress model to their lives. Themes included (1) Racism, racial minority-stress, or cultural stereotypes, (2) Navigating gender expression: intersections of sexual orientation, masculinity, body image, and romantic desirability, (3) Navigating conflicting identities: religious upbringing and LGBTQ+ identity, (4) Ageism and age-related stress, (5) Socioeconomic realities, struggles, and self-sufficiency, and (6) Reactions limited to sexual minority stress.

Conclusion: The findings revealed that Black and Latino men often drew upon aspects of their identities, other than or in addition to their sexual minority identity, to apply the minority stress model to their lived experiences. Findings suggest that LGBTQ-affirmative CBT may be beneficial to YBLSMM not just through addressing sexual minority stress but also through addressing minority stress linked to other aspects of YBLSMM’s identities.