The minority stress model is a framework used in public health and psychology to explain how stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion affect the health of people from marginalized groups. The model – originally developed by Ilan Meyer – distinguishes between general life stressors and additional, chronic stressors tied specifically to minority status. These can include external experiences such as harassment, discrimination, and policy restrictions, as well as internal pressures like anticipating rejection or needing to conceal one’s identity. Over time, this cumulative stress burden is associated with higher rates of mental and physical health challenges.
The minority stress model provides a useful lens for connecting individual experiences to broader structural forces. It helps explain why disparities in outcomes — such as higher rates of anxiety, depression, or other health issues — are not inherent to a group, but linked to social conditions and policy environments. Applying this framework in reporting can deepen coverage by situating personal stories within evidence-based research, and by highlighting how laws, institutions, and cultural attitudes contribute to health inequities.