Gay and bisexual men who disclose their sexual orientations in the workplace have higher workday levels of salivary cortisol and negative affect.
BACKGROUND
Previous research has shown that gay and bisexual men who conceal their sexual orientation suffer more adverse physical health problems relative to men who are more "out." However, little is known about the physiological mechanisms underlying this association.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether concealing sexual orientation in the workplace was associated with increased workday levels of salivary cortisol.


METHODS
Seventy-three gay and bisexual men responded to questionnaires assessing the extent to which they are open about their sexual orientations at work and other aspects of their work environment. Men then provided saliva samples and reports of negative affect throughout 2 consecutive days--1 at home and 1 at work.


RESULTS
Contrary to expectations, being more out at work was associated with higher workday levels of salivary cortisol (B = 0.21, SE B = 0.09, p < .05) and higher workday reports of negative affect (B = 0.14, SE B = 0.07, p < .05), controlling for home day values.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that it is disclosure rather than nondisclosure of sexual orientation by gay men in the workplace that is associated with emotional and physiological activation; a pattern that may have implications for their long-term adaptation.
Huebner
David M
DM
Arizona State University, USA. David.Huebner@ucsf.edu
Davis
Mary C
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001130:Arizona; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D008192:Deception; D004651:Employment; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva; D014342:Truth Disclosure
D006854:Hydrocortisone