title: Management of a Concealable Stigmatized Identity: A Qualitative Study of Concealment, Disclosure, and Role Flexing Among Young, Resilient Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals.
abstract: Disclosure of a sexual or gender minority status has been associated with both positive and negative effects on wellbeing. Few studies have explored the disclosure and concealment process in young people. Interviews were conducted with 10 sexual and/or gender minority individuals, aged 18-22 years, of male birth sex. Data were analyzed qualitatively, yielding determinants and effects of disclosure and concealment. Determinants of disclosure included holding positive attitudes about one's identity and an implicit devaluation of acceptance by society. Coming out was shown to have both positive and negative effects on communication and social support and was associated with both increases and decreases in experiences of stigma. Determinants of concealment included lack of comfort with one's identity and various motivations to avoid discrimination. Concealment was also related to hypervigilance and unique strategies of accessing social support. Results are discussed in light of their clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Florida International University , Miami , Florida , USA.|b Department of Preventive Medicine , Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Laura Jane
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bry
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medical Social Sciences , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mustanski
authors.affiliation: b Department of Preventive Medicine , Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.|d Department of Pediatrics-Adolescent Medicine , Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Preventive Medicine , Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Michelle Nicole
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003219:Confidentiality; D004644:Emotions; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; coming out; disclosure; gender identity; homosexuality; young adults