Dr. Sarah W. Whitton's lab focuses on understanding the mental health challenges faced by young sexual minority women, who experience particularly high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Through a comprehensive longitudinal study, the research aims to identify risk and protective factors influencing mental health outcomes in this group, examining how different mechanisms—biological, psychological, and social—interact with stress related to minority status. The ultimate goal is to leverage these insights to develop effective, culturally sensitive interventions to improve mental health care for sexual minority women.