Gender Differences in Identity Concerns Among Sexual Minority Young Adults in China: Socioeconomic Status, Familial, and Cultural Factors

This paper examines gender differences in the identity concerns of sexual minorities in China and the impact of individual and community-level socioeconomic statuses, familial, and cultural factors. A sample of 1076 non-heterosexual young adults (employed, aged 20–35) completed an online questionnaire on only child status, co-residence with parents, traditional values, familial pressure to marry, identity concerns, and demographic information. The findings show that gender impacts identity concerns. Men indicated a higher level of identity concern than women. Both traditional values and familial pressure to marry positively predict the level of identity concern for men and women. While co-residence with parents is a significant predictor for men, women are more affected by region of residence. The findings suggest that the identity concerns of men are mainly related to familial and cultural factors while women’s concerns are also influenced by community-related socioeconomic-status factors. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the role of gender in shaping the lives and experiences of sexual minority people in contemporary China.