Meyer (2003) defined distal stressors as prejudice-inspired events, including violence/victimization and discrimination. Several studies have documented increased exposure to these distal stressors in LGB populations (e.g., (Meyer, Schwartz, & Frost, 2008). With respect to victimization, studies that include representative samples and heterosexual comparison groups document high rates of victimization among LGB adults (Corliss, Cochran, & Mays, 2002; Tjaden, Thoeness, & Allison, 1999). A particularly novel application of this methodology, published after Meyer’s (2003) review, used a comparison sample of heterosexual sibling(s) of the LGB proband (Balsam, Rothblum & Beauchaine, 2005). This study found a greater prevalence of multiple forms of victimization among the LGB participants, including both physical abuse and sexual assault. Studies of peer victimization among sexual minority youth have revealed similar trends, with this group at elevated risk for peer violence compared to their heterosexual peers (Russell, Franz, & Driscoll, 2001). Group differences in peer victimization partially account for the association between sexual orientation and multiple adverse mental health outcomes, including suicide risk (Russell & Joyner, 2001; Garofalo, Wolf, Wissow, Woods, & Goodman, 1999). Future studies are needed to determine whether this result is generalizable to specific classes of mental disorders.
