SELF-MONITORING AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TRADITIONALAND NONTRADITIONAL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS

Our previous work found that high self-monitoring enhanced the job eff ectiveness of individuals in gender-nontraditional occupations, such a s men in nursing and women in management. This study tested whether se lf-monitoring would enhance the life satisfaction of individuals with nontraditional sexual orientations: lesbians and gay men. The Revised Self-monitoring Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index were completed b y 132 gay and lesbian individuals and by 137 heterosexuals. Moderated regressions indicated self-monitoring was significantly related to lif e satisfaction of all individuals but there was no interaction with se xual orientation. Significant interactions between self-monitoring, ge nder, and relationship status indicated self-monitoring Factor A, Abil ity to Modify Self-Presentation, bolstered the life satisfaction of al l women who were not in relationships whereas both Factor A, and Facto r B, Sensitivity to the Expressive Behavior of Others, bolstered the l ife satisfaction of all women in relationships. There were no signific ant interactions with sexual orientation in the regressions. Regardles s of sexual orientation, women had higher life satisfaction scores tha n men. The failure of the principal hypothesis suggests that the previ ously identified enhancement effect of self-monitoring may be limited to public occupational roles where social skills of impression managem ent are requisite to effective job performance. The enhancement effect may not extend to private aspects of personal identity.