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.
