Employing Memory Narratives to Dissect the Well-Being of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adolescents

Abstract

The relationship between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) identities and negative psychoemotional outcomes among teens is well established; this study analyzed happy memory narratives written by 390 LGB adolescents to investigate positive life experiences that might improve the well-being of LGB youth. A significant number of narratives were classified as everyday leisure or special occasions. Happy memory narratives were also highly likely to reference friends. Few LGB adolescents recalled LGB-specific events. The data suggest LGB adolescents recall happy memories that would be considered normalized experiences similar to those of heterosexual adolescents. Implications for understanding the well-being of LGB youth are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent development
• happiness
• internalized homonegativity
• LGB youth
• memory narratives
• mental health
• narrative identity theory
• social support

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bradley James Bond

Bradley James Bond, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Diego.

Joshua Noah Loewenstern

Joshua Noah Loewenstern received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgetown College of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown University.