Understanding How Coming Out Goes Well for Sexual and Gender Minorities.

Abstract

Coming out is often seen as a positive event that bolsters well-being for sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). However, the relationship between coming out and well-being is more complex among SGMs. We set out to evaluate the reliability and validity of two recent scales related to coming out: the Coming Out Vigilance and Positive Coming Out Responses scales. Using a sample of 437 SGMs and supporting previous work, we found evidence supporting the reliability and convergent, divergent, predictive, and incremental validity of both scales. Both scales evidenced substantial relationships with well-being, with the Coming Out Vigilance scale being related to all facets of well-being except relationships, and the Positive Coming Out Responses scale being related to all facets of well-being. Most importantly, we found that the scales accounted for variation in well-being above and beyond that accounted for by LGBTQ+ Hypervigilance and Parental Acceptance, respectively. Finally, we did not find evidence that the Coming Out Vigilance scale moderated the relationship between outness and well-being, nor did we find evidence that the Positive Coming Out Responses scale mediated the relationship between outness and well-being.