Comparing Sexual Orientation Identity Development in Plurisexual versus Monosexual Latinx Youth

Abstract

Plurisexual individuals represent 50% of sexual minority adolescents. However, most studies of sexual minority adolescents analyze this population as a homogeneous group rather than attending to plausible differences between plurisexual and monosexual sexual minority youth. Further, many researchers apply theories and assumptions based on samples of White cisgender gay men to SGM samples of color. This study examined whether plurisexual Latinx youth differed from monosexual youth on three facets of sexual orientation identity (SOI) development (exploration, resolution, and affirmation). Further, I examined whether plurisexual (vs monosexual) identity moderated the relationship between SOI development and depressive symptoms and self-esteem. The sample included 365 Latinx sexual minority youth (14-24 years). The majority of participants identified as monosexual (84.1%); 15.9% were plurisexual. The sample was 75.6% male, 19.5% female, and 2.0% transgender. Latinx plurisexual youth had higher levels of SOI affirmation, exploration, and resolution than monosexual youth. SOI affirmation, exploration, and resolution were positively associated with self-esteem for all youth. SOI affirmation was significantly negatively associated with depressive symptoms for monosexual youth but not for plurisexual youth. SOI exploration and resolution were not significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Plurisexual youth have less access to resources and social support about their sexual identities compared to monosexual youth, and thus may have had to engage in more exploration resulting in higher levels of resolution and affirmation. SOI affirmation, exploration, and resolution contributed to higher self-esteem for all youth regardless of plurisexual versus monosexual identity, but only affirmation was associated with fewer depressive symptoms among monosexual youth.