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Symposia

LGBTQ+

Understanding and contextualizing LGBTQ+ Identity: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice

4 - (SYM 46) The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Identity Affirming Social Support

Saturday, November 22, 2025
12:26 PM - 12:43 PM CST
Location: Celestin D&E, Level 3
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Community-Based, Mental Health Disparities
Recommended Readings: Diamond, L. M. (2016). Sexual fluidity in male and females. Current Sexual Health Reports, 8(4), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0092-z,   Flynn, S. S., Touhey, S., Sullivan, T. R., & Mereish, E. H. (2024). Queer and transgender joy: A daily diary qualitative study of positive identity factors among sexual and gender minority adolescents. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000733,   Hinton, J. D. X., de la Piedad Garcia, X., Kaufmann, L. M., Koc, Y., & Anderson, J. R. (2022). A systematic and meta-analytic review of identity centrality among LGBTQ groups: An assessment of psychosocial correlates. Journal of Sex Research, 59(5), 568–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1967849,   Savin-Williams, R. C. (2001). A critique of research on sexual-minority youths. Journal of Adolescence, 24(1), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.2000.0369,  
Abstract Body
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience elevated rates of suicidal thought and behaviors (STBs), making identifying protective factors that can be leveraged to prevent STBs crucial for this population. While general social support is a key protective factor, support that specifically affirms one’s SGM identity may be particularly important for SGM individuals. However, there are currently no measures of social support specifically for SGM identities. This project will present preliminary results from a pilot measure of support for SGM identity and exploring relationships between identity support and STBs among a sample of SGM young adults.

The sample consists of 200 SGM young adults (ages 18-30) recruited via Qualtrics Panels. Participants completed an online assessment that included demographic measures and assessments of STBs, perceived social support, and identity disclosure and concealment. Finally, participants completed a measure of social support for SGM identity developed for this study. The scale first asks participants to report the sources from whom they receive support for their identity (e.g., parent(s)/caregiver(s), affinity/identity groups). Participants are then asked to select the ways that each endorsed source demonstrates support (e.g., correcting others who use incorrect pronouns, providing emotional support following distressing experiences related to SGM identity). The scale also includes questions on informational support (e.g., From whom do you seek information about issues related to your identity?).

Data is collected and is currently being analyzed. Analyses focus on three primary aims: 1) Describing the sources from which individuals receive support for their SGM identity; 2) Describing the ways in which various sources support individuals’ SGM identities; and 3) Examining the relationship between support for SGM identity and STBs in the past 12 months and across the lifespan. Aims 1 and 2 will include analysis of both emotional and informational support. Additional analyses will examine variability in results across identity subgroups and degree of identity disclosure (i.e., “outness”).

This project is an important step toward quantitatively assessing SGM identity support, a protective factor that has been systematically missed by measures designed for largely cisgender/ heterosexual populations. Better understanding protective factors for SGM individuals may help improve affirming treatments and make existing interventions more effective for this vulnerable population.