PO-01-021 The association between sexual self-esteem and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identity

Abstract

Self-esteem is based on the verification of social/group, role, and individual identity. Previous studies imply that possessing a stigmatized identity (e.g., LGB identity) can thus be seen as a threat to the self-esteem of the LGB population. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether the endorsement of LGB self- and collective-identity is associated with a specific facet of self-esteem—sexual self-esteem (SSE). 17 lesbians, 40 gays, and 23 bisexuals (17 of these female), aged between 14 and 74 (M = 29.7, SD = 11.8) participated in an online survey encompassing the following instruments: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS), the Sexual Self-Esteem Scale (SSEI-SF), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. To confirm the internal consistency of the scales, Cronbach’s alpha was assessed. Correlational analyses were conducted. The scales displayed good reliabilities (Cronbach’s α ranging from .71 to .90). Correlation analyses indicated that several dimensions of the LGB identity were significantly correlated with various factors of SSE. For example, dimensions of LGBIS like identity dissatisfaction, difficult process, stigma sensitivity were significantly and negatively correlated (-.23 < r < -.41; p < .05) with SSE-SF’s dimension of adaptiveness (i.e., congruence of one's sexual experience with personal goals), while identity centrality was positively correlated (r = +.28; p < .01).