Coming Out and the Potential for Growth in Sexual Minorities: The Role of Social Reactions and Internalized Homonegativity

Abstract

Coming out is a significant and sometimes difficult process in the lives of sexual minorities, but disclosure can also affect wellbeing in positive ways, including reduced distress and greater relationship satisfaction. This study investigates the possibility of stress-related growth and depreciation following coming out. To obtain a diverse sample with varying coming-out experiences, data were collected from undergraduate students as well as from online sources, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual support groups and Pride groups. Regression analyses indicated that negative social reactions to coming out predicted both growth and depreciation, although they more strongly predicted depreciation. Positive social reactions were positively related to stress-related growth, while internalized homonegativity was inversely associated with growth. Although the two sample sources (online and campus) differed in some ways, sample source was not a significant predictor in the regressions, nor was it indicated as a moderator in exploratory ANOVA analyses.

“Let Me Do What I Please With It . . . Don’t Decide My Identity For Me”: LGBTQ+ Youth Experiences of Social Media in Narrative Identity Development

“…However, this does not accurately 68 capture the various sexual and gender identities individuals now project in contemporary 69 society. Coming out and the disclosure of one's LGBTQ+ identity (rather than concealing it) 70 is important to psychological health (Solomon, McAbee, Asberg, & McGee, 2015). 71 Therefore, the ability to integrate sexual desire, sexual activity, sexual openness and the 72 ability to articulate sexual identity has particular positive outcomes and benefits for LGBTQ+ 73 individuals (Parent, Talley, Schwartz, & Hancock, 2015).…”

'Too Gay for Facebook'

“…At the same time, hiding their LGBTQ+ identity is not a sustainable solution for LGBTQ+ people. A substantial literature suggests that coming out, including disclosure of one's LGBTQ+ identity, is important to psychological health [53,56], and is associated with higher ratings of self-efficacy and relationship satisfaction, and lower rates of anxiety and depression [15,33,49]. This positive effect, however, can be diminished by negative reactions to the disclosure, both from known individuals and the larger community [35,48,56].…”

“…A substantial literature suggests that coming out, including disclosure of one's LGBTQ+ identity, is important to psychological health [53,56], and is associated with higher ratings of self-efficacy and relationship satisfaction, and lower rates of anxiety and depression [15,33,49]. This positive effect, however, can be diminished by negative reactions to the disclosure, both from known individuals and the larger community [35,48,56]. As such, disclosure is an ongoing part of LGBTQ+ people's lives as they choose whether and how to discuss their LGBTQ+ identity in different contexts [42].…”

Interpersonal Acceptance–Rejection Theory: Application to Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons

“…Over the past 2 decades research has expanded significantly in the field of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) studies. Substantial contributions to literature on the coming‐out process have been studied even further, with special attention to health disparities (Ryan, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, ; Ryan, Russell, Huebner, Diaz, & Sanchez, ), wellness (Legate, Ryan, & Weinstein, ), support systems (Solomon, McAbee, Åsberg, & McGee, ), and safety (Ybarra, Mitchell, & Kosciw, & Korchmaros, ). A common theme throughout the literature is the importance of the support of significant individuals such as parents, siblings, and peers during the time of coming out (Bontempo & D'Augelli, ; Toomey, Ryan, Diaz, Card, & Russell, ).…”