Concealing in Plain Sight: Identity Management and Sexual Orientation Concealment Among Chinese Gay Male College Students

Sexual orientation concealment is a central yet culturally contingent process shaping the mental health of sexual minority individuals. This mixed-methods study examined how Chinese gay male college students manage and conceal their sexual orientation and the associations linking these processes to psychological outcomes. Semi-structured interviews with 20 participants revealed four key identity management strategies, passing, avoidance, selective disclosure, and compartmentalization, employed dynamically across contexts. Concealment was highly situational, intensified in family and dormitory settings under the strong influence of filial piety and collectivist norms. It functioned not only as self-protection but also as a relationally driven moral practice to preserve family harmony. A subsequent survey of 381 students tested a serial mediation model, showing that identity management strategies were positively associated with greater concealment and minority stress, with both variables significantly mediating the association with poorer mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and reduced well-being. By reconceptualizing concealment as a culturally embedded moral practice, this study extends the application of Meyer's minority stress theory to the Chinese context and highlights the interplay of relational and cultural forces. The findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions addressing both individual and family dynamics.