Thesis
Factor analysis of modified LGBT minority stress scale for BIPOC LGBTQ+ American population
University of Iowa
Master of Arts (MA), University of Iowa
Autumn 2025
DOI: 10.25820/etd.008198
Abstract
This study examined the validity and dimensional structure of a shortened, modified version of the LGBT Minority Stress Measure that was used with a US BIPOC LGBTQ+ population (n=168) in the Loss of Safe Spaces project, a project that explored minority stress and ambiguous loss during the COVID-19 pandemic (Gutierrez et al., 2025). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using a weighted least squares mean and variance-adjusted (WLSMV) estimator (i.e., for predicting ordinal item responses) to assess the fit of the initial four-factor Minority Stress Measure model, with hypothesized factors of Identity Concealment, Everyday Discrimination/Microaggressions, Internalized Stigmatization, and Victimization Events. The initial model demonstrated mediocre fit (CFI = .817, TLI = .841, RMSEA = .087, SRMR = .123). Using theoretical justification and local model fit diagnostics, a refined five-factor model was developed that separated the Everyday Discrimination/Microaggressions factor into two separate factors of Invalidation as well as Othering/Tokenizing. The factors of Identity Concealment, Internalized Stigmatization, and Victimization Events were retained. The refined model showed some improvement (CFI = .860, TLI = .878, RMSEA = .081, SRMR = .107). Future analysis and refinement is needed with a larger sample size. Implications include the importance of validating measures to marginalized groups, as BIPOC LGBTQ+ individuals may experiences minority stress concepts differently than white LGBTQ+ populations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Factor analysis of modified LGBT minority stress scale for BIPOC LGBTQ+ American population
- Creators
- Kalen Donovan Zeiger
- Contributors
- Lesa Hoffman (Advisor)Jonathan Templin (Committee Member)Jacob Priest (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (MA), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations (Educational Measurement and Statistics)
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2025
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.008198
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- x, 41 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Kalen Donovan Zeiger
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 12/01/2025
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 36-40).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- This study explored how stress related to identity, discrimination, stigmatization, and belonging may show up differently for BIPOC LGBTQ+ people in the United States and how that might impact the validity of the tools used for measuring that type of stress, also known as minority stress. Many existing research tools that measure LGBTQ+ stress were developed using mostly white participants, which means they may not adequately represent the experiences of people who face both ethnic and racial discrimination along with and LGBTQ+ discrimination. This research used data from 168 participants in the Loss of Safe Spaces project, a project that explored minority stress and ambiguous loss during the COVID-19 pandemic (Gutierrez et al., 2025). This research tested how well a shortened, modified version of the LGBT Minority Stress Measure worked when administered to BIPOC LGBTQ+ individuals. The initial model, made up of the four factors of Identity Concealment, Everyday Discrimination/Microaggressions, Internalized Stigmatization, and Victimization Events, did not fit the data well. A refined model replaced the factor of Everyday Discrimination/Microaggressions with two separate factors of Invalidation (being dismissed or disbelieved) and Othering/Tokenizing (being singled out or treated as a representative of a group) and showed some improvement. These results suggest that this measure can be improved for use with the BIPOC LGBTQ+ population. This is important because having better measurement tools for marginalized populations can help researchers, clinicians, and policymakers be better informed.
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
- Record Identifier
- 9985135147502771
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