Internalized Stigmatization and Rejection Sensitivity as Mediators of the Link Between Self-Monitoring and Transgender Identity Concealment
Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The phenomenon of identity concealment is not well understood for transgender individuals. Additionally, individual differences in identity concealment have not been widely discussed. In the present study, we explored the potential mediating effects of rejection sensitivity and internalized stigmatization between self-monitoring and identity concealment by transgender individuals. Self-monitoring can be conceptualized as either a univariate (dichotomous) variable or bivariate (continuous) variable with two dimensions: protective and acquisitive. Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk system, we recruited 140 transgender individuals to complete measures of self-monitoring, rejection sensitivity, internalized stigmatization, and identity concealment across five audiences. Mediation was assessed using Hayes’ PROCESS model. Univariate and acquisitive self-monitoring had direct effects on identity concealment for coworkers/classmates. Acquisitive self-monitoring had direct effects on identity concealment for strangers. Protective self-monitoring had indirect effects (via rejection sensitivity/internalized stigmatization) on identity concealment for friends/acquaintances, coworkers/classmates, and strangers. Limitations of the current investigation (e.g., nonexperimental design) and future directions (e.g., longitudinal design) for research on identity concealment by transgender individuals are discussed.
Author: Sara Carlton
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3167474156