THE IMPORTANCE OF OUT-GROUP ACCEPTANCE IN ADDITION TO IN-GROUP SUPPORT IN PREDICTING THE WELL-BEING OF SAME-SEX ATTRACTED YOUTH

Studies investigating the well-being of same-sex attracted youth have generally not distinguished between the role of support from friends sharing their minority status and the role of acceptance from areas outside these friendships. To address this issue, 127 (67 female, 60 male) same-sex attracted youth aged 18 to 25 years were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire examining the role of out-group acceptance in predicting the psychological well-being of these youth, over and above that afforded by support from members of their own minority group. Perceived acceptance of their sexual orientation from heterosexual friends, heterosexual contacts apart from friends (such as neighbours, co-workers, employers, or teachers), and from their mother significantly added to the prediction of these youth’s well-being, while controlling for perceived support from their sexual minority friends. These findings are discussed in relation to the unique barriers sexual minorities face to in-group socialisation.