Becoming Myself: Authenticity as a Pathway Toward Well-Being for Sexual Minority Populations

Abstract

In this article, the role of authenticity as a unique psychological strength of sexual minority people is discussed. The current literature suggests that authenticity is a protective factor for sexual minority individuals and, thus, this article aims to highlight the need to study further the psychological correlates of this variable. This article provides a review of the literature examining the role of variables such as internalized heterosexism, spirituality, self-compassion, and psychological flexibility in hindering or facilitating authenticity in sexual minority populations. Future directions and clinical implications for the development of evidence-based treatments for this population are discussed.