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Acceptance Concern and Life Satisfaction for Chinese LGBs: The Mediating Role of Self-Concealment

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  • Xiaowen Hu
  • Ying Wang
  • Chia-huei Wu

Abstract

Past research has suggested that the acceptance concern of lesbians, gays and bisexuals (LGB), defined as LGB individuals’ sensitivity to negative judgement and rejection associated with their sexuality, is negatively related to subjective wellbeing. However, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. Drawing on social exchange theory, we propose that LGBs’ self-concealment of sexuality is an important mediator, such that acceptance concern leads to a stronger tendency to conceal one’s sexuality, which further causes lower life satisfaction. Furthermore, we expect that different social groups have a different psychological importance for LGB and thus, concealment from different target groups (i.e., family, friends and acquaintances) will have a differential impact on the mediating process. Using a sample of 152 Chinese students who self-identified as LGBs, we found that acceptance concern negatively predicted life satisfaction, and this effect was mediated by individuals’ self-concealment of their sexuality. A closer examination at different social groups revealed that the mediation effect was only found when using self-concealment from the family as the mediator, indicating the important role played by family in shaping Chinese LGBs’ wellbeing. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaowen Hu & Ying Wang & Chia-huei Wu, 2013. "Acceptance Concern and Life Satisfaction for Chinese LGBs: The Mediating Role of Self-Concealment," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 687-701, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:114:y:2013:i:2:p:687-701
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-012-0168-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Chiang, Szu-Ying & Fleming, Theresa & Lucassen, Mathijs F.G. & Fouche, Christa & Fenaughty, John, 2018. "From secrecy to discretion: The views of psychological therapists on supporting Chinese sexual and gender minority young people," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 307-314.
    2. Zhou Jiang & Xiaowen Hu, 2016. "Knowledge Sharing and Life Satisfaction: The Roles of Colleague Relationships and Gender," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(1), pages 379-394, March.
    3. Miedema, Stephanie Spaid & Browne, Irene & Yount, Kathryn M., 2022. "An intersectional burden: Gender and sexual stigma against toms in Thailand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).

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