Researchers have been investigating the factors that contribute to resilience, relationship satisfaction, and effective identity integration for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) military service members. One study found that self-esteem, social support, and coping strategies were significantly associated with higher levels of resilience. Another study showed that relationship satisfaction was positively related to both resilience and identity integration. Yet another study indicated that psychological wellbeing and social support played a role in identity integration.
The present study aimed to examine how personality traits such as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and life events such as family acceptance, harassment, discrimination, and stigma affect resilience, relational satisfaction, and identity integration among LGBT military personnel. The sample included 100 participants from all branches of the US Armed Forces who identified themselves as LGBT. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their personality traits, life events, and outcomes. Data analysis revealed significant associations between different variables.
Personality traits are known to influence individual differences in various aspects of human behavior. Openness is associated with creativity, curiosity, and flexibility; conscientiousness with organization, responsibility, and perseverance; extraversion with sociability, assertiveness, and activity; agreeableness with kindness, cooperation, and empathy; and neuroticism with emotional instability, anxiety, and vulnerability. Life events can also shape an individual's experiences and development. Family acceptance refers to whether or not one's family accepts their sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status. Harassment refers to negative comments or behaviors directed at an individual due to their sexuality, gender, or gender expression. Discrimination involves unfair treatment based on these factors. Stigma refers to negative stereotypes, prejudice, and social exclusion based on sexuality, gender, or gender identity.
The results showed that openness was positively correlated with resilience and negatively correlated with discrimination. Conscientiousness was positively related to relationship satisfaction and negatively associated with harassment. Extraversion was linked to both resilience and relational satisfaction. Agreeableness was positively related to identity integration. Neuroticism was negatively related to all three outcomes. Life events did not predict any of the outcomes.
Personality traits and life events play a role in LGBT military personnel's resilience, relational satisfaction, and identity integration. Personality traits such as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness are associated with positive outcomes, while neuroticism is associated with negative outcomes. Resilience, relational satisfaction, and identity integration are important for overall well-being and performance among LGBT military service members. Future research should examine how other variables may influence these outcomes and explore interventions to enhance them.
What psychosocial factors predict resilience, relational satisfaction, and effective identity integration among LGBT personnel?
Psychologists have found that resilience refers to an individual's capacity to withstand stressors, bounce back from challenges and adversity, and maintain healthy coping skills under difficult circumstances (Brown & Ryan, 2017). This trait may be influenced by various social and cultural factors such as support from family members, friends, and peers; access to resources for self-care; and a sense of belonging within one's community.