TOPLINE:

In a new study, youth belonging to sexual minority groups reported having a significantly lower level of identity synthesis, higher level of identity confusion, and greater momentary identity difficulties than their heterosexual peers. Researchers identified a bidirectional relationship between identity functioning and suspiciousness, with each factor influencing the other over time.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers analysed data of 1913 adolescents (mean age, 14 years; 1207 girls and 695 boys), obtained from Wave 1 of the SIGMA study (2018-2019) across 22 schools in Belgium.
• They used the Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM), with participants completing 10 momentary ESM questionnaires per day over a period of 6 days, to assess momentary identity functioning and suspiciousness.
• The Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory questionnaire was used to determine identity synthesis (a clear sense of self) and confusion.
• Potential associations between identity functioning and suspiciousness were examined, both concurrently and longitudinally, with sexual minority status as a potential moderator.

TAKEAWAY:

• Sexual minority status showed a significant negative association with identity synthesis (P < .001) and a significant positive association with identity confusion (P < .05).
• A bidirectional reinforcing relationship was found between identity functioning and suspiciousness. A lower level of momentary identity functioning was associated with a higher level of suspiciousness, both at the same time and next timepoint (P < .0001).
• A higher level of suspiciousness was associated with a lower level of momentary identity functioning (P < .01). Individuals who reported a higher average level of suspiciousness over the study period had a lower level of momentary identity functioning (P < .0001).
• The protective effect of identity synthesis was primarily found among heterosexual youth, suggesting that this protective buffer may not operate the same way for individuals belonging to sexual minority groups.

IN PRACTICE:

"This study provides novel evidence on the dynamic interplay between identity development and suspiciousness in daily life, with a particular focus on sexual minority youth. Our findings show that sexual minority adolescents experience greater identity-related difficulties, which are significantly linked to elevated levels of suspiciousness. Notably, we identified a bidirectional association between identity functioning and suspiciousness, suggesting a reinforcing cycle between these processes. Furthermore, sexual minority status moderated the associations between identity synthesis/confusion and suspiciousness, underscoring the distinctive psychological challenges faced by this group in navigating identity within a predominantly heteronormative social context," the authors wrote. 

SOURCE:

The study was led by Margaux Sageot, Centre for Clinical Psychiatry, Leuven, Belgium. It was published online on September 11, 2025, in Schizophrenia Bulletin.

LIMITATIONS:

The 1-week duration of the study limited the ability to draw conclusions about long-term effects, and the momentary identity variable had a low internal consistency. The study's focus was limited to suspiciousness, excluding other symptoms such as hallucinations, and the binary classification of sexual minority status may have oversimplified the complex and evolving nature of sexual identity.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received support via a Research Foundation Flanders Odysseus grant to one author. Several other authors reported receiving supported through a senior clinical fellowship and another foundation. The authors declared having no competing interests.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.