Understanding happiness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations through a data‐driven path analysis in a Chinese sample: A three capitals model

Abstract

Studies on Happiness in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual and gender diverse (SGD) populations are limited and have, in a majority of cases, been studied in Western populations. Prior popular frameworks to explain well‐being in SGD populations include minority stress and Bourdieu's forms of capital, though few have integrated these frameworks. We leverage structural equation models, integrating these constructs to examine the relative influence of forms of capital and stigma on happiness among a large sample of culturally and linguistically Chinese SGD populations. The present analysis uses a cross‐sectional mixed‐gender analytic convenience sample of SGD Chinese people ( N  = 8694). Structural equation models integrating multiple forms of capital (social, sexual, and economic) and stigma were fit, including models stratified by gender minority status. In the full sample, there was evidence of three significant pathways from the forms of capital on happiness. Social capital R ²  = 0.09 and economic capital R ²  = 0.04 have significant direct effects on Happiness. Stratified results are presented. Future studies should examine the interplay of minority stress, social, sexual, and economic capitals with culturally specific predictors to identify and refine appropriate frameworks for understanding happiness among SGD populations.