"We Don't Have a Template to Follow": Sexual Identity Development and Its Facilitative Factors Among Sexual Minority Men in the Context of China

Extant research on sexual identity development among sexual minority individuals has been predominantly conducted in Western contexts and focused on factors that hinder identity development processes. Using thematic analysis, this qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of sexual identity development among Chinese sexual minority men as well as the facilitative factors in China that positively influence this developmental process. The sample comprised 24 participants who self-identified as Chinese sexual minority men. The analysis yielded five overarching themes: awareness of one's attraction and corresponding reactions, identity exploration, moving toward identity acceptance and commitment, acceptance and support from others, and environmental support. The first three themes described the processes of sexual identity development among Chinese sexual minority men, whereas the latter two themes centered on the related facilitative factors in the context of China. The results highlight the importance of understanding the identity development process within Chinese minority men's unique sociocultural contexts.