Subjective well-being: a pilot study on the importance of emotion regulation, gender identity and sexuality

Abstract

The current pilot study focuses on the importance of emotion regulation (ER), gender identity and sexuality for subjective well-being. It is the first large cross-cultural study to examine the difference in use of adaptive and maladaptive ER strategies while differentiating sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) from non-SGMs. An online questionnaire was distributed across 2,485 students in 13 countries using convenience sampling. Multigroup path analysis supported hypothesised model across all groups. Overall, adaptive ER strategies were positively associated with subjective well-being, while maladaptive ER strategies were negatively associated with subjective well-being. SGM participants scored significantly lower on subjective well-being when compared to their non-SGM counterparts. Additionally, SGM participants scored significantly higher on maladaptive ER strategies, and significantly lower on adaptive ER strategies compared to non-SGMs. Further research should focus on tools and ways to increase the use of more adaptive ER strategies in SGMs to improve their well-being.