Gay-related stress and its correlates among gay and bisexual male adolescents of predominantly Black and Hispanic background

The relationships among gay-related and non-gay-related stressful life events, self-esteem, emotional distress, and multiple problem behaviors (conduct problems, alcohol use, drug use, and sexual risk acts) were examined among 136 gay and bisexual male youths, predominantly Hispanic and Black, seeking social and recreational services at a gay-identified community-based agency in New York City. Increasing levels of gay-related stressful life events were associated moderately with emotional distress and the multiple problem behaviors. In addition, high self-esteem was related to low levels of emotional distress. However, self-esteem did not buffer the relationships between gay-related stressful life events and emotional distress or between these life events and the multiple problem behaviors. In addition, only one chance ethnic difference emerged in emotional distress or multiple problem behaviors. Future research should examine the chronic impact of gay-related stressful life events on gay and bisexual youths and identify the resources that allow the youths to cope with this stress. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.