Peer Victimization and Flatter Diurnal Cortisol Slopes Predict Depressive Symptoms Among LGBQ Emerging Adults

Sexuality-based peer victimization is a form of social stress that predicted heightened subsequent depressive symptoms among LGBQ emerging adults who evidenced less variable diurnal cortisol output. Findings highlight how sexuality-based discrimination and diurnal patterns of adrenocortical functioning interact and prospectively predict to depressive symptoms.