Lesbian identity and disclosure in the workplace: Relation to occupational stress and satisfaction

In this descriptive field study of 123 employed lesbians, we posited in a path model that disclosure of lesbian status and workplace climate would influence occupational stress and coping, which would, in turn, affect general work satisfaction. In addition, disclosure and climate were posited to affect work satisfaction directly. Our analyses indicated that, as predicted, workplace climate significantly influenced occupational stress and coping, which, in turn, affected work satisfaction; climate also had direct effects on work satisfaction. However, contrary to prediction, disclosure did not demonstrate significant influence on occupational stress, coping, or work satisfaction. The implications of these results for future research are discussed. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.