Psychosocial adjustment profiles of gay and lesbian individuals involved in marital relations: A cluster-based analysis

Abstract

Sexual minorities continue to face stressful environments arising from a heterosexist and homophobic system, endangering their health as well as their relational competence. This study characterizes psychosocial adjustment profiles from gay men and lesbians, verifying their differences according to socio-demographic data and protection factors. For such, 176 self-declared gay and lesbian participants, residents of Fortaleza, Aracaju and Uberaba, with stable marital relationships, responded to the following instruments: Internalized Homophobia Scales, Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire. By using the cluster analytical method, four adaptive patterns were identified: resilient (n = 58); vulnerable (n = 41); competent (n = 43); and poorly adapted (n = 34). The identification of distinct profiles emphasized individual development paths, pointing out directions on how to promote resilience processes among sexual minorities that experienced such internal perception of stigma.