Stress inoculation theories suggest that exposure to certain kinds of stress (e.g., those that are controllable) can lead to more resilient outcomes because individuals develop the resources needed to respond adaptively to stress (Fergus & Zimmerman, 2005; Garmezy, 1991; Rutter, 1993). It is possible that certain kinds of stigma-related stress (e.g., acute stressors that are not experienced as overly taxing) can produce responses that make subsequent coping efforts more effective at managing stressors, especially if individuals are well supported in coping. Social support from parents (Goldfried & Goldfried, 2001) and from peers (Radkowsky & Siegel, 1997) may therefore be especially critical in determining whether early stress leads to resilience or risk among sexual minorities. This hypothesis of moderated mediation can be tested in future prospective studies of the integrative framework that examine whether relationships between stigma-related stress, coping, and psychopathology are moderated by positive social support networks. Such data will provide important information regarding processes that lead to psychological well-being among sexual minorities, even in the face of multiple stigma-related stressors.
