The Relationship of Minority Stress and Flexible Coping to Psychological Well Being in Lesbian and Bisexual Women

This study explores minority stress among lesbian and bisexual women by examining the relationship of sexist and heterosexist events, self-concealment, and self-monitoring to positive psychological well being. The sample was made up of 373 lesbian and bisexual women, including 77 women of color. Results of a multiple regression analysis of the total sample indicated that, considered simultaneously, self-concealment and self-monitoring explained significant variance in positive psychological well being, while sexist and heterosexist events, though present, were not significantly related to positive psychological well being. Results were similar for the women of color alone. This research provides evidence for the resiliency of lesbian and bisexual women and offers some applicable concepts (e.g., self-concealment and self-monitoring) to consider in research and practice with lesbian and bisexual female clients.