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Sexual Minority Identity, Viewing Motivations, and Viewing Frequency of LGB-Inclusive Television Among LGB Viewers

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between dimensions of sexual minority identity, viewing motivations, and viewing frequency of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-inclusive television (TV) among LGB viewers. Two hundred two LGB adults completed measures regarding sexual minority identity, TV viewing motivations, and frequency of viewing LGB-inclusive TV programs. Analyses revealed that dimensions of sexual minority identity (i.e., internalized homonegativity, acceptance concerns, and identity affirmation) were positively associated with a learning motivation for viewing LGB-inclusive TV. Moreover, a learning motivation mediated the relationship between dimensions of sexual minority identity and frequency of viewing LGB-inclusive TV. These findings have important implications for clinicians, and suggest that engaging with LGB-inclusive TV may represent an important coping strategy for LGB individuals dealing with identity concerns.

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Notes

  1. The terms “sexual minority” and “LGB” will be used interchangeably throughout this paper. “Sexual minority” is used as an inclusive term to denote all individuals identifying as something other than heterosexual.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Catherine Horn, Ph.D., and Nicole Coleman, Ph.D., for their feedback on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

Funding

This study did not require funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 3657 Cullen Boulevard, Room 491, Houston, TX, 77204-5029, USA

    Kate Winderman & Nathan Grant Smith

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  1. Kate Winderman
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  2. Nathan Grant Smith
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Correspondence to Kate Winderman.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Winderman, K., Smith, N.G. Sexual Minority Identity, Viewing Motivations, and Viewing Frequency of LGB-Inclusive Television Among LGB Viewers. Sexuality & Culture 20, 824–840 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-016-9361-2

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