LGBQ identity integration and the association with justification of violence

Objectives: The current study examined how lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer (LGBQ) identity integration is associated with beliefs about the justification of violence, a known predictor of perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Relationship communication skills were examined as a moderator of this relationship. Method: 276 LGBQ youth completed measures hypothesized to contribute to an overall sense of identity-sense of belonging, connectedness to the LGBQ community, internalized homophobia, and coming-out self-efficacy. Couple communication was also assessed via self-report. Results: Analyses revealed that all 4 LGBQ variables could be combined into a single latent factor representing integrated identity. Results were significant for the moderation test, in that higher ratings of communication moderated the strength of the relationship between the latent LGBQ identity variable and justification of violence. Conclusions: This study highlights support for the unidimensionality of LGBQ identity, and that the quality of one's integrated identity and relationship communication may be important factors in justification of violence and subsequent experiences of IPV.