LGB positive identity and psychological well-being

Having a positive LGB identity is theorized to contribute to psychological well-being (PWB), but this relationship has rarely been examined empirically. We examined associations between 5 LGB positive identity factors (LGB-PIM) and 6 domains of PWB in a sample of 332 LGB adults who completed an online survey. All 5 LGB positive identity factors were significantly associated with one or more domains of PWB. In a structural equation model, the LGB-PIM Authenticity subscale accounted for unique variance in all 6 PWB subscales (Positive Relations with Others, Personal Growth, Self-Acceptance, Purpose in Life, Autonomy, and Environmental Mastery). A sense of belonging to the LGB community accounted for unique variance in 4 PWB domains (Positive Relations With Others, Self-Acceptance, Purpose in Life, and Environmental Mastery). Intimacy accounted for unique variance in Autonomy, and Social Justice accounted for unique variance in Personal Growth. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found an inverse association between Self-Awareness and 2 PWB domains, Positive Relations With Others and Environmental Mastery, suggesting that self-awareness, in a stigmatizing environment, may come with a cost to psychological well-being. These results highlight the importance of considering the role of LGB positive identity factors in facilitating PWB.