This is my Powerpoint Presentation of my Senior Literature Review.

1. Living as a Sexual Minority:
How Being Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
Influences Support and Well-Being
Carlyn Werderman
Whittier College

2. Overview
 Homosexuality and bisexuality is a controversial topic that
can be traced as early as biblical times. Society has
started to become more accepting of these sexual
identities, most still do not fully support them. Social and
workplace support has been found to influence many
facets of sexual minorities’ lives. This often causes them to
feel that they need to conceal their identity and even
convince others that they are heterosexual, which
decreases their self-esteem and self-concept, and their
likelihood of disclosing their identity to others. Positive
support can also decrease internalized homophobia, the
likelihood of developing mood or anxiety disorders,
depression or becoming suicidal, or becoming
dependent on alcohol and other elicit substances.

3.  However, the sexual minority identity has also been found
to influence other aspects of life. The way sexual minorities
interpret scripture can also influence their identity
development and religious commitment. Sexual minorities
are more likely to experience difficulties with self-efficacy,
self-esteem, gender identity satisfaction, and body image
satisfaction. They are also more likely to have frequent HIV
screenings, smoke, commit suicide, or participate in
limited physical activity. It remains unclear whether their
sexual identity causes them to turn to elicit substances
and engage in substance dependence. Suggestions for
future research include incorporating the transgender,
transsexual, and intersex identity.

4. Research Questions
 How does being lesbian, gay, or bisexual
influence support?
 Religious, Workplace, Social Support
 How does being lesbian, gay, or bisexual
influence well-being?
 Overall, Sexual, Physical, Psychological Well-
Being

5. Samples and Methodologies
 Self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and
women from main racial/ethnic groups
 Sampled from universities, previous surveys, LGB support
centers or organizations, psychotherapists
 Ages ranged from 14-70 years old
 Identity defined on continuum based off level of
sexual attraction/behavior with men and women
 Self-reports and questionnaires

6. Major Findings
 Lack of overall support from religious, workplace,
and social environments (Carpineto, Kubicek, Weiss, Iverson, & Kipke, 2008; Duhigg,
Rostosky, Gray, & Wimsatt, 2010; Friedman & Leaper, 2010; Friedman & Morgan, 2009; Gallor & Fassinger, 2010;
Hequembourg & Brailler, 2009; Needham & Austin, 2010)
 Support increased with development of non-
discrimination workplace policies and
heterosexual allies (Beals & Peplau, 2005; Carpineto et al., 2008; Duhigg et al., 2010)
 Social support least found in parents (Friedman and Morgan,
2009)
 Effect on overall well-being: Self-efficacy, self-
esteem, gender identity satisfaction, and body
image satisfaction (Dillon, Worthington, Soth-McNett, & Schwartz, 2008; Muise, Preyede,
Maitland, & Milhausen 2010)

7. Major Findings (continued)
 Sexual well-being not much affected (Rieger, Chivers, & Bailey, 2005;
Scheer, Parks, McFarland, Page-Schafer, Delgado, Ruiz, …& Klausner, 2003; Schrimshaw, Rosario, Meyer-
Bahlburg, & Scharf-Matlick, 2006)
 Effect on physical well-being: more likely to have
routine HIV screenings and substance
abuse/dependence (Baiocco, D’Alessio, & Laghi, 2010; Conron, Mimiaga, & Landers,
2010; Drabble, Midanik, & Trocki, 2004; Eliason, Burke, van Ophen, Howell, 2011; Hiestand, Horne, & Levitt,
2007; Loosier & Dittus, 2010; McCabe, Hughes, Bostwick, West, & Boyd, 2009; Scheer, Parks, McFarland, Page-
Schafer, Delgado, Ruiz, Molitor, & Klausner, 2003;
 Talley, Sheer, & Littlefield, 2010; Wright & Perry, 2006)
 Effect on psychological well-being: increased self-
esteem and decreased internalized homophobia,
and mood or anxiety disorders (Bauermeister, Johns, Sandfort, Eisenberg,
Grossman, & Augelli, 2010; Bostwick, Boyd, & Hughes, 2010; Cochran, 2001; D’Augelli, Grossman, Starks, &
Sinclair, 2010; Hunter, Rosario, & Schrimshaw, 2011; Quinn & Chaudior, 2009)

8. Muise, Preyede, Maitland, & Milhausen, 2010

9. Quinn & Chaudior, 2009

10. Conclusions
 Lack of support from religious, workplace, and social
environments causes most sexual minorities to conceal
their identity and convince others that they are
heterosexual, especially from their parents. Some report
persevering through the discrimination after making
disclosure.
 Some ways to end this heterosexism and increase support
are to develop non-discrimination policies and become a
heterosexual ally
 Positive support can also decrease internalized
homophobia, the likelihood of developing mood or
anxiety disorders, depression or becoming suicidal, or
becoming dependent on alcohol and other elicit
substances.

11.  Self-efficacy, self-esteem, gender identity satisfaction, and
body image satisfaction are some constituents that
contribute to one’s overall well-being. With the exception
of being more likely to encounter forced sex, having a
sexual minority identity does not negatively influence their
overall sexual well-being.
 Having a sexual minority identity positively affects their
physical well-being because they are more likely to have
frequent HIV screenings. It negatively effects their physical
well-being because they are more likely to smoke, commit
suicide, or participate in limited physical activity. It
remains unclear whether their sexual identity causes them
to turn to elicit substances and engage in substance
dependence.

12. Future Directions
 Include the transgender, transsexual, or intersex
populations
 Examine how LGBTTI conflicts and experiences contribute
to their religious commitment, treatment within their social
or workplace environment, and how it affects the
different dimensions of their well-being
 How LGBTTI identity, religious commitment, and well-being
are heightened or diminished when they are in a
relationship.
 Why they aren’t included: There are not enough
transgender, transsexual, and intersex people who are
willing to participate in these studies.