Openness to Experience as a Moderator Between Social Support and Self-Acceptance of One’s Sexual Orientation

Abstract Introduction Previous research has demonstrated the protective role of social support in mitigating the adverse mental health outcomes associated with minority stress and in promoting self-acceptance among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. The present study investigates the moderating role of openness to experience in the association between perceived social support and self-acceptance of one’s sexual orientation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 605 cisgender LGB individuals from Israel, aged 18–64 years ( M = 33.53, SD = 8.95). Participants completed measures of perceived social support, openness to experience, and self-acceptance of sexual orientation. Results Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses were employed. The results indicate that perceived social support was positively correlated with self-acceptance, and this relationship was moderated by openness to experience. As such, this association was evident only among individuals with lower levels of openness to experience. Conclusions The findings highlight the compensatory role of perceived social support, which is associated with greater self-acceptance, particularly among individuals lower in openness to experience. These results extend minority stress theory by illustrating how perceived social support functions as a salient social resource for LGB individuals’ psychological adjustment within a non-Euro-American sociocultural context. Policy Implications Policymakers and social agents should prioritize creating inclusive social environments that strengthen support networks for LGB individuals. Amid global sociopolitical challenges, enhancing community and institutional support can promote self-acceptance and well-being among sexual minority individuals, especially when levels of openness to experience as a personality-based resource are insufficient.