Coming out to family and friends may be really tough for some teenagers and young adults, but research from Montreal shows it is actually good for you. It helps lower stress levels and reduces the risk of depression.
Researchers at the Centre of Studies on Human Stress at the University of Montreal, wanted to determine if the mental and physical health of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals differs from heterosexuals, and if so, whether being out of the closet makes a difference.
Researchers measured a stress hormone called cortisol throughout the day as well as 20 other biological marks to assess stress.
Sexual minorities, who were out of the closet, were less stressed than heterosexuals in the study. Researchers theorize that coping strategies used to deal with stigma may also help the gay population to deal with all kinds of stress.
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