The Bright Side of Gender Nonconformity Among Chinese Cisgender LGQ Individuals: Life Satisfaction, Positive Sexual...

While research has consistently linked gender nonconformity to adverse mental health outcomes among lesbian, gay, and queer (LGQ) individuals, its connection to positive outcomes-such as life satisfaction-remains less understood. Drawing on a positive psychological framework, this study investigates the relationship between gender nonconformity and life satisfaction among cisgender Chinese LGQ individuals, examining the roles of positive sexual identity (identity centrality, identity affirmation, and identity superiority) as suppressors and interpersonal resources (community connectedness and family support) as moderators.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1,486 Chinese cisgender LGQ individuals, aged 18 to 56 years. Bivariate analyses were used to explore relationships among key variables. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the associations between gender nonconformity, positive sexual identity, and life satisfaction across gender groups. Moderation analyses were conducted to explore the buffering role of interpersonal resources.

For sexual minority women, gender nonconformity was related to higher levels of life satisfaction, with identity centrality fully mediating this relationship. For sexual minority men, gender nonconformity was indirectly associated with higher levels of life satisfaction through identity centrality and affirmation. Family support, but not community connectedness, moderated this association.

These findings provide a more nuanced and strengths-based perspective on gender nonconformity among Chinese cisgender LGQ individuals, highlighting its potential benefits for identity development and well-being. The results also underscore the protective role of interpersonal resources, offering important implications for culturally sensitive interventions and future research.