Coming Out and Health: The Social Context of Queer Well-Being

• In Event: Open Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 6: Sexuality, Desire, and Queer Identity

Abstract

Emerging research shows that the association between disclosure of sexual and gender identity and health depends on social ties and support. However, most studies conceptualize “outness” as a binary or linear continuum, overlooking relational nuance. Building on minority stress theory and the linked-lives perspective within a life course framework, this study examines relationship-specific disclosure patterns and their implications for health and well-being among Taiwanese LGBT individuals. Taiwan offers a unique context, where dense social ties create both pressures and opportunities for disclosure. Using data from the 2022 National LGBTI Survey in Taiwan (N = 13,104), Latent Class Analysis identifies three distinct disclosure profiles. Compared to those who were selectively or largely not disclosed, individuals who were mostly disclosed reported better self-rated health and greater social support, whereas those who were largely not disclosed exhibited the highest levels of depression and anxiety. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of disclosure experiences and highlight health disparities shaped by relational contexts outside of the U.S.

Author

• Man-Lin Chen, University of Washington