Configurations of Sexual and Vocational Identity Processes Among Sexual Minority College Students

Abstract

Sexual minority college students (N = 414) were recruited through a Qualtrics panel to explore sexual and vocational identity configurations. Using latent profile analysis, four distinctive latent profiles emerged from the data: vocational identity–focused, intersectional diffused, intersectional achieved, and sexual identity–focused configurations. Analyses suggest that profile membership is predicted by LGBTQ+ school climate, heterosexist discrimination, and outness of sexual identity. Further, membership in a given profile predicted career decision making self-efficacy. This work begins to expand our understanding of sexual and vocational identity configurations among sexual minority college students. Implications for college counselors and educational policy are discussed.

Keywords:

• Campus climate
• college students
• context
• emerging adults
• identity
• sexual minority

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by a National Science Foundation Broadening Participation in Engineering award [proposal #1828227] to Ryan Berke (PI) and Renee V. Galliher (co-PI).