Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
Human Rights at Home and Abroad: Past, Present, and Future
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heterosexual peers. It was concluded th<strong>at</strong> a higher risk for suicide <strong>at</strong>tempts or suicide ide<strong>at</strong>ion is not only<br />
more prevalent in LGB youth than it is in heterosexual youth, but also th<strong>at</strong> this risk starts <strong>at</strong> an earlier age<br />
in the LGB popul<strong>at</strong>ion as well. Evidence from this <strong>and</strong> other studies support the minority stress theory in<br />
saying th<strong>at</strong> LGB popul<strong>at</strong>ions are <strong>at</strong> a higher risk because of the unique stresses they face due to their<br />
sexual minority st<strong>at</strong>us (Meyer, 2003), which can be <strong>at</strong> an all-time high during their teen years.<br />
One of the other mental health issues facing sexual minority individuals is substance use <strong>and</strong><br />
abuse. For sexual minority individuals, the guilt <strong>and</strong> shame felt when struggling with internalized<br />
homophobia can be a heavy burden to bear. Without proper coping mechanisms or social support in place,<br />
anyone with a significant amount of stress is more susceptible to the use <strong>and</strong>/or abuse of alcohol <strong>and</strong><br />
drugs as a means to <strong>at</strong>tempt to cope.<br />
Cajab (2000) hypothesized th<strong>at</strong> individuals in the LGB popul<strong>at</strong>ion are more likely to turn to<br />
substance abuse because of the relief it supposedly has to offer them. Cajab st<strong>at</strong>ed th<strong>at</strong> substance use <strong>and</strong><br />
abuse can be particularly appealing to LGB individuals because it can serve as a disconnect from the<br />
feelings of shame <strong>and</strong> anxiety, it provides acceptance in another area of their lives <strong>and</strong> drinking in bars<br />
fosters a sense of social comfort. Also st<strong>at</strong>ed was th<strong>at</strong> drinking in an unfamiliar bar or other social<br />
environment allows for anonymity where the individual may be more likely to act on feelings th<strong>at</strong> they<br />
have suppressed <strong>and</strong> denied <strong>and</strong> drinking can also cre<strong>at</strong>e blackouts about sexual activity.<br />
As seen in suicide, sexual minority youth have an earlier onset for substance use <strong>and</strong> abuse<br />
compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Sexual minority youth have higher self-reported r<strong>at</strong>es of<br />
alcohol <strong>and</strong> tobacco use as well as poly substance use.<br />
The effects of internalized homophobia seem to cre<strong>at</strong>e a domino effect in the individuals th<strong>at</strong> are<br />
struggling with it. One mental health issues leads to another <strong>and</strong> then they all have an effect on the way<br />
the individual rel<strong>at</strong>es to others. Things like concealment of one‘s identity <strong>and</strong> issues with rel<strong>at</strong>ionship<br />
quality are connected not only to the mental health effects of internalized homophobia, but also to each<br />
other.<br />
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