Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Kemesha Gabbidon, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Vicky Phares, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Judith Biesen, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Marina Bornovalova, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Joseph Vandello, Ph.D.
Keywords
mental health disparities, personality pathology, sexual orientation, stigma
Abstract
Sexual minority individuals face increased risk for numerous forms of psychopathology compared to heterosexual individuals, including borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous investigation into the causes of these mental health disparities highlights several sexual minority-specific factors that may render sexual minority individuals uniquely vulnerable to meeting criteria for a BPD diagnosis, including chronic exposure to minority stressors, such as sexual orientation-based discrimination and stigmatizing beliefs. Some scholars have argued that the relevance of these minority-specific stressful experiences hampers the utility of a BPD diagnosis among members of this historically marginalized population. The present study experimentally tested the influence of minority stressors by randomly assigning sexual minority participants to conditions that increase the salience of either minority stress experiences or neutral stimuli and comparing rates of subsequent endorsement of intent to engage in behaviors linked to three BPD criteria: identity disturbance, suicidality, and impulsivity. Participants in the minority stress condition were significantly more likely than those in the neutral condition to endorse future likelihood of engaging in behaviors linked to two BPD symptoms, identity disturbance and suicidality, but not impulsivity. Minority stress experiences also positively predicted number of BPD symptoms. These results inform the ongoing discourse surrounding the utility of a BPD diagnosis among sexual minorities. Results further suggest that clinicians working with this population should exercise caution when assessing BPD diagnostically and may benefit from incorporating minority stress-related treatment targets for sexual minority clients with a history of chronic minority stress.
Scholar Commons Citation
Carsten, E. Elisa, "Testing the Impact of Sexual Minority Stress on Endorsement of Prospective Behaviors Related to Borderline Personality Disorder Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Adults" (2026). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/11258
