Stigma Protective factors and Mental Health in Italian Transgender People An application of the minority sress model (original) (raw)

Decompensation: A novel approach to accounting for stress arising from the effects of ideology and social norms

To date, research that has drawn upon Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model has largely taken for granted the premises underpinning it. In this paper we provide a close reading of how ‘stress’ is conceptualised in the model, and suggest that aspects of the model do not attend to the institutionalised nature of stressors experienced by people with marginalised identities, particularly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. As a counter to this, we highlight the importance of a focus on the effects of ideology and social norms in terms of stress, and we argue why an intersectional approach is necessary in order to ensure recognition of multiple axes of marginalisation and privilege. The paper then outlines the concept of decompensation and suggests that it may offer one way to reconsider the effects of ideology and social norms. The decompensation approach centres on the need for social change, rather than solely relying upon individuals to be resilient.