Measuring positive LGBTQ+ identity: Psychometric properties of the Turkish Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Positive Identity Measure

Abstract

Previous research with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and various sexually and gender diverse (LGBTQ+) people has largely highlighted how experiences of discrimination and marginalization, and mental health outcomes are related. However, it is important that researchers operate from a strength-based approach to identify how aspects of one's identity may foster resilience. It is crucial that people working with LGBTQ+ individuals have empirically supported and culturally verified measures to assess such constructs. In this regard, the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Positive Identity Measure (LGB-PIM) developed by Riggle et al. (2014) was aimed to be translated into Turkish, examining its psychometric properties and validity using a sample of 450 LGBTQ+ people from Turkey. Participants' mean age was 22.44 (SD = 4.61; range = 18–47) and most of them were educated. The five-factor structure of the LGB-PIM and its five subscales (authenticity, community, intimacy, self-awareness, and social justice) was validated by the findings of confirmatory factor analyses. Future researchers may wish to use LGB-PIM in studies that are designed to understand positive aspects among LGBTQ+ individuals such as resilience and coping and their associations with any type of close relationships (i.e., romantic relationships, friendships, family relations).