The focus of this psychological mediation framework has been in understanding the processes leading to disparities in psychiatric morbidity between sexual minorities and heterosexuals. It is important to note, however, that many (if not most) sexual minorities do not evidence greater risk for psychopathology (Cochran et al., 2003; Savin-Williams, 2001). Indeed, research with other stigmatized groups, especially African-Americans, has outlined the myriad self-protective qualities associated with membership in a stigmatized group (e.g., Crocker & Major, 1989).
