Gender is a multifaceted concept that encompasses an individual's innate sense of their own gender identity, as well as the social roles and behaviors associated with masculinity, femininity, or nonbinary identities. For many individuals, this identity can be fluid and ever-changing throughout one's life, making it difficult to reconcile with societal expectations and norms. This complexity is especially true for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members who must navigate strict military policies regarding uniform regulations, housing arrangements, and unit cohesion while also maintaining a sense of personal identity within these restrictive contexts.
To understand how LGBT service members manage these challenges, researchers have examined various psychological processes that may enable them to stay true to themselves despite external pressures. One such process is cognitive dissonance reduction, which involves minimizing inconsistencies between attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through rationalization or reinterpretation. LGBT service members may experience cognitive dissonance when they act in accordance with societal norms but feel like they are not being authentic to themselves. To reduce this dissonance, they may engage in self-affirmation activities such as positive self-talk, visualization exercises, or goal setting, which help to bolster their sense of self-worth and integrity.
Another important psychological process is compartmentalization, which involves creating mental boundaries between different aspects of one's life. By separating work from home, for example, LGBT service members can mitigate the impact of their sexual orientation on their professional duties and relationships. They may also develop internalized homophobia, whereby they come to believe that their own gender identity is abnormal or immoral, and learn to suppress any outward expressions of it. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, but also helps to keep their identity private and safe.
Social support networks play an essential role in enabling LGBT service members to maintain identity coherence. Friends, family, and fellow soldiers who accept and celebrate diverse identities can provide a sense of belonging and validation that counteracts external pressure. In addition, online communities and advocacy groups offer valuable resources for information, connection, and emotional support.
These processes enable LGBT service members to navigate restrictive contexts while staying true to their core values and beliefs.
Which psychological processes enable LGBT service members to maintain identity coherence in restrictive contexts?
Maintaining one's identity can be challenging for anyone, but especially so for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) given that they often face societal pressures, including stigmatization and discrimination.