Well-Being Among Spanish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Heterosexual Adults: Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Family and Friends

ABSTRACT

Relevance of disclosure of minority sexual orientation on subjective (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB) was analyzed. Participants were 236 men and 238 women self-identified as lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) or heterosexual. No differences in SWB were found between heterosexuals and LGBs. Heterosexual women showed greater environmental mastery than bisexual men and greater purpose in life than lesbian and bisexual women. Outcomes showed greater well-being among LGBs who disclosed their minority sexual orientation to parents later in life. Disclosing minority sexual orientation to parents was related with greater PWB. Further research that takes a differential approach to improve well-being for LGBs is needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual orientation
• disclosure
• well-being
• LGB people

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Vice Chancellorship of Research, Universidad de La Laguna, Spain (grant number 2012/0001622).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Universidad de La Laguna (2012/0001622).