Positive Identity and Well-Being among Italian Lesbian, Gay And Bisexual Youth: A Resilience Perspective

Most of the research on lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth has focused on mental health disparities, at-risk behaviors, and victimization. Very few studies have used a resilience perspective studying the well-being of LGB youth as a unique vector of experience that is different from the absence of mental health problems (Mohr and Kendra, 2011; Kertzner, et al., 2009; Riggle et al., 2014). These few studies find that a positive valence associated with LGB identities and social justice involvement are positively associated with psychological well-being and general life satisfaction among LGB individuals. However, measures of LGB identity are based on questions worded in a negative valence, resembling measures of internalized sexual stigma (ISS; Mohr & Fassinger, 2000; Balsam & Mohr, 2007). Recent evidence suggests that positive LGB identity does not coincide with the absence of negative LGB identity (Riggle et al., 2014). In the present study, we examined the association between positive LGB identity and well-being in a group of LGB youth, using a measure of LGB identity with statements worded in a positive, affirmative position. Participants were 355 LGB youth (56% girls). Among them, 246 (69%) self-identified as gay or lesbian and 109 (31%) as bisexual. Participants’ ages ranged from 14 to 22 (M=18.40, SD=1.74). A background questionnaire was completed to collect data about age, gender (0=man; 1=woman), sexual orientation (0=gay/lesbian; 1=bisexual), bullying experiences at school (0= never; 5 = very often) and social justice involvement (0= never; 5 = very often). The Multifactor Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Positive Identity Measure (Riggle et al., 2014) was used to investigate positive LGB identity. The Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men (Lingiardi et al., 2012) was administered to assess ISS. Finally, the Well-being Questionnaire (W-BQ12; Bradeley, 1994) was used as a measure of general well-being. Using a hierarchical multiple regression, we examined how gender, age, sexual orientation, religiosity, political orientation (first step), ISS, experiences of bullying (second step), positive personal identity, and social justice involvement (third step) may relate to well-being, and how much variance is explained by positive LGB identity and social justice involvement. We found that higher scores on well-being were associated with gay/lesbian sexual identity,β=- .15, p<.001, lower levels of religiosity, β=-.14, p<.001, lower levels of ISS, β=-.12, p<.05, low experiences of bullying at school,β=-.10, p<.05, higher levels of positive personal identity, β=.18, p<.01, and higher levels of social justice involvement, β=.12, p<.05. Positive LGB identity and social justice involvement explained 18% of the variance. Our findings show that Positive LGB identity is an important construct to consider when addressing the well-being of LGB youth. Exploring new ways to promote resilience and positive identity among LGB youth is crucial, especially in countries like Italy where sexual stigma and negative religious/moral/political beliefs regarding LGB identities are rooted in the social belief system. The discussion will include possible alternate interpretations and practical implications.