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Coming Out Among Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexual Individuals in Hong Kong: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Moderating Role of Attitudinal Ambivalence

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Abstract

The present study applied the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to identify factors associated with disclosure intention among lesbians (n = 236), gay men (n = 183), bisexual women (n = 156), and bisexual men (n = 46) (LGBs) in Hong Kong. Past disclosure behavior and the moderating role of attitudinal ambivalence were also examined. Findings showed that perceived behavioral control predicted intention significantly in all four groups. Attitude predicted intention significantly in lesbians, gay men, and bisexual women. Subjective norm predicted intention significantly in lesbians and gay men. The moderating effect of attitudinal ambivalence was supported in lesbians. Past disclosure behavior was not significant in predicting disclosure intention. The present study showed differential utility of the TPB on LGBs’ disclosure intention in Hong Kong.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by the Direct Grant of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to the second author (2020771).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Winnie W. S. Mak, Ah Chit Ng & Eddie S. K. Chong

  2. Institute of Work, Health and Organisations, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Phoenix K. H. Mo

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  1. Winnie W. S. Mak
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  2. Ah Chit Ng
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  4. Eddie S. K. Chong
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Correspondence to Winnie W. S. Mak.

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Mak, W.W.S., Ng, A.C., Mo, P.K.H. et al. Coming Out Among Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexual Individuals in Hong Kong: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Moderating Role of Attitudinal Ambivalence. Sex Roles 63, 189–200 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9778-2

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