Dimensions of sexuality and social anxiety in emerging adulthood

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which social anxiety (SA) differed by dimensions of sexual identity, attraction, romantic and sexual history. Participants were 1133 emerging adults, 635 of whom endorsed a non-heterosexual identity and/or some same gender attraction or history. Individuals who reported a minority sexual identity, any same-gender attraction or experience reported greater SA compared to majority peers, particularly those with experience with/attraction to multiple genders. Differences are discussed in terms of implications/recommendations for mental health research and the need for research on nonbinary and intersectional identities.

Keywords:

• Sexual Orientation
• Sexuality
• LGBQ+
• Social Anxiety
• Mental Health