Openness to Experience as a Moderator Between Social Support and Self-Acceptance of One’s Sexual Orientation

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research has demonstrated the protective role of social support in mitigating the adverse mental health outcomes associated with minority stress and in promoting self-acceptance among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The present study investigates the moderating role of openness to experience in the association between perceived social support and self-acceptance of one’s sexual orientation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 605 cisgender LGB individuals from Israel, aged 18–64 years (M = 33.53, SD = 8.95). Participants completed measures of perceived social support, openness to experience, and self-acceptance of sexual orientation. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses were employed. The results indicate that perceived social support was positively correlated with self-acceptance, and this relationship was moderated by openness to experience. As such, this association was evident only among individuals with lower levels of openness to experience. Conclusions: The findings highlight the compensatory role of perceived social support, which is associated with greater self-acceptance, particularly among individuals lower in openness to experience. These results extend minority stress theory by illustrating how perceived social support functions as a salient social resource for LGB individuals’ psychological adjustment within a non-Euro-American sociocultural context. Policy Implications: Policymakers and social agents should prioritize creating inclusive social environments that strengthen support networks for LGB individuals. Amid global sociopolitical challenges, enhancing community and institutional support can promote self-acceptance and well-being among sexual minority individuals, especially when levels of openness to experience as a personality-based resource are insufficient.