Multiple Marginalized Identities, Minority Stress, and Mental Health

ABSTRACT Stigmatized individuals contend with minority stress, which increases with the number of stigmatized identities someone holds. Among singly stigmatized individuals, minority stress is associated with poorer mental health. Less research, however, has examined this among multiply stigmatized individuals or considered potential mechanisms linking multiple stigmatization and mental health. Our study leverages a large national sample of US adults ( N = 1759) to examine the relationship between the number of stigmatized identities, minority stress, and mental health. Individuals holding more marginalized identities report worse psychological wellbeing; this relationship is mediated by greater minority stress and lower belonging. Exploratory analyses suggest this relationship is statistically driven by the presence of having two or more marginalized identities, highlighting the potentially distinct nature of multiple marginalization. Although our analyses should be viewed as speculative, it is imperative that future research consider the added psychosocial burden faced by multiply marginalized individuals.