Our results suggest that although Bear-identified men are characterized by their similarities to other gay men, subcultural identities create unique social contexts that are important for health and health interventions in this population. Higher BMI in the case of Bear-identified men predicted higher self-esteem. In the case of Bear-identified men, age, perceived exposure to weight discrimination, and BMI were also significant predictors of self-esteem. Perceived sexual minority stigma negatively, and resilience positively, predicted self-esteem. Linear regression models were performed for the entire sample (N = 60) and for Bear-identified men (N = 31). Our sample consisted of 60 men from the Polish Bear community (i.e., Bears, Cubs, Otters, Wolves).
We explored the significance of such predictors as: perceived sexual minority and weight stigma, age, resilience, and physique as reflected by the BMI. In this study we focused on the determinants of self-esteem in Bears. Previous research documented the various health risks, and the exposure to both sexual minority and weight stigma, of this population. Bears are distinguished by a particular body look-body hirsuteness and heavy-set physique. Bear subculture exists within a larger gay community, which has been recognized by public health experts as disproportionately burdened with stigma and related health adversities.
