title: Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Loneliness Among LGB Adults and Heterosexual Adults in China.
abstract: Low levels of life satisfaction have been linked to low self-esteem and loneliness, but this association has never been tested directly in LGB (lesbian/gay/bisexual) populations. We compared 275 Chinese LGB adults to 275 demographic-matched Chinese heterosexual controls on life satisfaction, self-esteem, and loneliness. LGB adults reported lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of loneliness than heterosexuals, but similar levels of overall life satisfaction. Self-esteem partially mediated (but did not moderate) the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction in both groups. Hierarchical regressions indicated that demographic variables, loneliness, and self-esteem can predict life satisfaction in both LGB and heterosexual adults, but explained more variance of life satisfaction in the LGB group. Thus self-esteem and loneliness play a more important role in life satisfaction for LGB rather than heterosexual Chinese adults.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology and Center for Studies of Psychological Application , South China Normal University , Guangzhou , China.
authors.forename: Jingchu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: b Psychology Department, Normal College , University of Shenzhen , Shenzhen , Guangdong , China.
authors.forename: Jize
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: b Psychology Department, Normal College , University of Shenzhen , Shenzhen , Guangdong , China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology and Center for Studies of Psychological Application , South China Normal University , Guangzhou , China.
authors.forename: Xifu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Chinese LGB adults; Chinese heterosexual adults; cross-sectional study; life satisfaction; loneliness; quantitative research; self-esteem