2025/12/24 by Leah Dajches · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues #LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy #Marriage and Sexual Relationships
paper · doi:10.1080/15213269.2025.2607107
openalex created_date 2025/12/24 · openalex publication_date 2025/12/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/16
Across the world, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face political and physical attacks. However, research suggests that consuming LGBTQ-specific media has positive identity-related and well-being effects for LGBTQ+ audiences. Using a mixed-methods approach, the present study explored the utility of the Netflix television series, Heartstopper, on wishful reprocessing and identity-related outcomes among LGBTQ+ adult fans (N = 170; 18–40 years old, M = 26.11, SD = 6.68). The qualitative findings suggested that fans watch Heartstopper because it is a positive, authentic, and diverse portrayal of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, and also to reflect upon their own adolescent LGBTQ+ experiences (i.e., wishful reprocessing). Mixed quantitative results were found for the moderation effects of wishful reprocessing; however, consuming Heartstopper alone was positively related to LGBTQ+ identity affirmation and negatively related to internalized homophobia, and these relationships were intensified when participants watched the series to reprocess their adolescence. Ultimately, this demonstrates the beneficial effects of LGBTQ±specific media among LGBTQ+ adult audiences.