The Quest for Queer Authenticity: The Roles of Spirituality, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Flexibility

Recent research has identified authenticity as an aspect of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB+) positive identity that is distinct from coming out. Authenticity refers to an inner sense of peace and comfort with one’s LGB+ identity and is consistently linked to positive psychological outcomes in this population. However, there is limited research on how authenticity can be facilitated among LGB+ adults. Spirituality may be a potential source of support for LGB+ individuals that can reduce the negative effects of minority stress and promote authenticity by facilitating greater self-compassion and psychological flexibility. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between spirituality and authenticity, as mediated by self-compassion, psychological inflexibility, and internalized heterosexism, in a sample of LGB+ adults. Participants (n = 577) completed an online survey with self-report measures on spirituality, self-compassion, psychological inflexibility, internalized heterosexism, and authenticity. Results from a structural equation modeling analysis indicated that spirituality was indirectly linked to authenticity through serial meditation, such that self-compassion mediated the relationship between spirituality and psychological inflexibility, which in turn mediated the relationship between self-compassion and internalized heterosexism, which in turn mediated the relationship between psychological inflexibility and authenticity. These findings have important implications for interventions designed to support the well-being and identity development of LGB+ individuals.