A sexual minority model of flourishing: Examining the interactions among negative emotions, positive emotions, and sexual orientation identity status

Introduction: Much of the sexual minority literature is developed from a deficit-based perspective with little consideration for flourishing. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether positive emotions offset the relationship between negative emotions and flourishing. Method: Data were collected from sexual minorities (N = 388) who completed an online survey. Result: Positive emotions moderated the association between negative emotions and flourishing; the relationship was substantially weakened at higher levels of positive emotions. Conclusion: Results offer preliminary evidence for positive emotions as a promotional factor to flourishing and provide insights to use positive psychological interventions with sexual minorities.