What are the mechanisms linking visibility, representation, and community belonging to identity integration and psychological well-being
Visibility
Visibility refers to how visible individuals feel about their identities. This can be measured through self-report measures such as the Identity Integration Scale (IIS) or the Personal Assessment Inventory - Short Form (PAI-SF), which ask respondents to rate themselves on dimensions such as pride, shame, acceptance, and authenticity regarding their identities. The IIS includes subscales for ethnic/racial identity, gender identity, religious affiliation, political ideology, and sexual orientation.
Someone who feels more shame about their sexual orientation would have lower IIS scores than someone who does not. Visibility has been linked to identity integration and psychological well-being. One study found that higher visibility was associated with greater life satisfaction among LGBTQ+ youth (Kreager et al., 2018). Another study found that increased visibility was related to reduced depressive symptoms in Black adolescents (Park et al., 2020). These studies suggest that being able to express one's identity openly may contribute to better mental health outcomes.
Representation
Representation refers to how accurately individuals perceive their identities to be portrayed in society. This can be assessed by examining media portrayals of different groups, including in television shows, movies, books, magazines, advertisements, etc. Research suggests that accurate representation is positively related to positive identity development. A study conducted by Chang et al. (2020) found that Asian American college students had higher levels of positive identity when they felt represented in popular culture compared to those who did not. Similarly, a study led by Huang et al. (2020) found that young adults who identified as Hispanic/Latino reported greater satisfaction with their identity if they saw more favorable depictions of themselves in the news media. In addition to media exposure, research indicates that having role models from one's own group can also promote positive identity development (Hernandez & Grossman, 2014; Moradi et al., 2015).
Community Belonging
Community belonging refers to an individual's sense of connection and acceptance within a particular social group or community. This can include feelings of camaraderie, support, and mutual respect among members of the same group. Studies have shown that increased community belonging is associated with improved psychological well-being, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities.
In a study on sexual minority youth, Shippee et al. (2017) found that higher levels of LGBTQ+ community belonging were linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety.
A review by Rohling et al. (2019) showed that Latina women who participated in culturally specific programs such as Mujeres Unidas had better mental health outcomes than those who did not. Researchers suggest that community belonging may help individuals feel validated and supported in their identities, which in turn promotes positive mental health.
Visibility, representation, and community belonging are all important factors that contribute to identity integration and psychological well-being. As individuals become more visible, represented, and connected to their communities, they may experience greater acceptance, validation, and self-acceptance, leading to improved mental health outcomes.