Authors :
Thryaksha Ashok Garla
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3CFVFKq
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6354879
Abstract :
The present study experimentally investigated
the effect of concealment and outness of a person’s sexual
orientation and gender identity on their self-esteem. This
was strictly restricted to LGBTQIA+ individuals. A
survey was taken using online platforms, and the
participants (N=289) were asked a series of questions in
order to measure their concealment using the ‘Sexual
Orientation Concealment Scale’, their outness using the
‘Outness Inventory’ and their self-esteem using the
‘Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale’. The results display an
obvious effect, with the self-esteem being directly
proportional to their outness and indirectly proportional
to their concealment. While factors such as parental
support, depression and anxiety are frequently studied in
LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-esteem and outness rarely
are. This study has severe implications, taking into
account that a person’s self-esteem might take a huge hit
even if they have accepted themselves, due to them having
to be closeted. It necessitates the need for a community,
for psychoeducation of the masses and for establishing
ways in order to help the individual come out, previously
largely being focused on self-acceptance alone.
Keywords :
Self-esteem, Outness, Concealment, LGBTQIA+
The present study experimentally investigated
the effect of concealment and outness of a person’s sexual
orientation and gender identity on their self-esteem. This
was strictly restricted to LGBTQIA+ individuals. A
survey was taken using online platforms, and the
participants (N=289) were asked a series of questions in
order to measure their concealment using the ‘Sexual
Orientation Concealment Scale’, their outness using the
‘Outness Inventory’ and their self-esteem using the
‘Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale’. The results display an
obvious effect, with the self-esteem being directly
proportional to their outness and indirectly proportional
to their concealment. While factors such as parental
support, depression and anxiety are frequently studied in
LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-esteem and outness rarely
are. This study has severe implications, taking into
account that a person’s self-esteem might take a huge hit
even if they have accepted themselves, due to them having
to be closeted. It necessitates the need for a community,
for psychoeducation of the masses and for establishing
ways in order to help the individual come out, previously
largely being focused on self-acceptance alone.
Keywords :
Self-esteem, Outness, Concealment, LGBTQIA+
