Sexual Orientation Beliefs and Identity Development: A Person-Centered Analysis among Sexual Minorities

The present chapter provides a review of some of the primary psychological issues confronting sexual minorities (i.e., individuals with same-sex attractions and relationships). Our goal is to provide a flexible set of preliminary questions that can be used to help sexual-minority clients to articulate their own idiosyncratic experiences and give voice to their own unique needs. We begin by addressing two of the most common and important clinical issues faced by sexual minorities: generalized “minority stress” and acceptance and validation from the family of origin. We then turn attention to the vast—and vastly underinvestigated—population of individuals with bisexual attractions and behavior, who actually constitute the majority of the sexual-minority population, despite having been systematically excluded from most prior research. We review the increasing body of research suggesting that individuals with bisexual patterns of attraction and behavior actually face greater mental health risks than those with exclusive same-sex attractions and behavior, and we explore potential processes and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, focusing particular attention on issues of identity development and transition over the life span. We conclude by outlining a number of areas for future clinically oriented research.

Download Full-text

Resilience in LGB Youths: A Systematic Review of Protection Mechanisms

Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto) ◽

10.1590/1982-43272766201709 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (66) ◽

pp. 69-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Daniela Fonseca Freitas ◽

Susana Coimbra ◽

Anne Marie Fontaine

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Protective Mechanisms ◽

Positive Adjustment ◽

Lgb Youth ◽

Protection Mechanisms ◽

Heterosexual Youth

Abstract: Given the mental health disparities among LGB and heterosexual youth, literature has increasingly emphasized the need to identify the mechanisms that promote resilience among sexual minorities. This systematic review sought to answer the question: what are the protection mechanisms against homophobia among LGB youth? Of the 147 references located in the search, 13 studies were analyzed. The identified protection mechanisms were organized by two criteria: specific to sexual orientation or general, and considered to be at the personal, relational and contextual level. Most of the mechanisms revealed to solely promote the positive adjustment in the presence of risk. General protective mechanisms frequently revealed to be more compensatory of the risks than those specific to sexual orientation.

Download Full-text

Freedom’s Frontiers: The Travails of LGBT Travelers

Pólemos ◽

10.1515/pol-2018-0017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 271-295

Author(s):

David Austin ◽

Mark E. Wojcik

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Positive Change ◽

Legal Rights ◽

Tourist Industry ◽

Same Sex ◽

Time And Space ◽

Same Sex Couples ◽

Cross Border ◽

The Status

Abstract This article considers the status of same-sex couples whose lawful marriage in one jurisdiction may not be recognized in another, or who may face discrimination and criminal penalties for their sexual orientation. The article surveys positive developments that promote equality for sexual minorities rather than their punishment. The degree of positive change varies across countries. While traveling across borders, sexual minorities are often subjected to strange dislocations in time and space: they can accelerate through centuries of struggle to find freedom in foreign lands, or they can be hurled back into the darkness of the closet or, worse, detained in a prison cell. The article also focuses on some of the positive developments – legal and otherwise – that have led to the growth of a gay tourist industry; some of the problems that gay travelers may potentially encounter when crossing into countries where the legal rights of sexual minorities are not safeguarded; and some potential “solutions” that will allow gay travelers to engage in cross-border travel without feeling that they are being forced back into the limiting borders of the closet’s confines.

Download Full-text

Tożsamościowe wyzwania kobiet sprawujących opiekę nad dzieckiem w związkach jednopłciowych w świetle koncepcji Vivienne Cass

Człowiek i Społeczeństwo ◽

10.14746/cis.2018.45.11 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 217-244

Author(s):

Jowita Wycisk Jowita Wycisk

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Identity Development ◽

Identity Formation ◽

Industrial Society ◽

Same Sex ◽

Extensive Discussion ◽

Sexual Orientation Identity ◽

Parental Identity ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Bisexual Identity

Development of the contemporary post-industrial society entails the increasing diversity of family life models. People, making individual choices in this field, face new challenges related to identity formation. In the text presented this issue is discussed on the example of women bringing up children in same-sex relationships. The article presents basic information on the same-sex parenting, underlines the importance of the idea of identity integration in psychology and stresses the lack of contiguity between theories of parental identity development and these ones of homosexual and bisexual identity development. An extensive discussion of the Vivienne Cass’s theory of sexual orientation identity development is the basis for the approximation of potential discrepancies in the identity system of non-heterosexual women taking parental roles. Two main factors relevant to the processes of identity formation were distinguished: the order of the development of the sexual orientation identity and parental identity (the planned and reconstructed families differ in this regard) and the way of establishing and maintaining the relationship with the child (other challenges are faced by biological and social mothers). In the summary, questions requiring future empirical exploration were notified.

Download Full-text

Proving it: experiences of sexual minorities in the Canadian refugee determination system

10.32920/ryerson.14656989.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Casey Anderson

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Gender Identity ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Gender Identities ◽

Theoretical Concepts ◽

Canadian Immigration ◽

Determination System ◽

And Gender

This paper explores refugee claimant’s experiences negotiating the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Focusing on claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity, this paper investigates how claimants are made to ‘prove’ their sexual orientation and gender identity. The IRB and its decision makers require that claimants prove their identity as a refugee as well as a member of a sexual minority. Through an analysis of the existing literature and by integrating queer and feminist theoretical concepts on gender, sex, performativity and representation, it is apparent that the Canadian IRB functions as a heteronormative system in which the understanding of sexual orientation and gender identities are essentialized.

Download Full-text

Proving it: experiences of sexual minorities in the Canadian refugee determination system

10.32920/ryerson.14656989 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Casey Anderson

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Gender Identity ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Gender Identities ◽

Theoretical Concepts ◽

Canadian Immigration ◽

Determination System ◽

And Gender

This paper explores refugee claimant’s experiences negotiating the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Focusing on claims based on sexual orientation and gender identity, this paper investigates how claimants are made to ‘prove’ their sexual orientation and gender identity. The IRB and its decision makers require that claimants prove their identity as a refugee as well as a member of a sexual minority. Through an analysis of the existing literature and by integrating queer and feminist theoretical concepts on gender, sex, performativity and representation, it is apparent that the Canadian IRB functions as a heteronormative system in which the understanding of sexual orientation and gender identities are essentialized.

Download Full-text

Abstract P283: Disparities in Long-term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease by Sexual Orientation and Race/Ethnicity: the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.129.suppl_1.p283 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Cari J Clark ◽

Iris W Borowsky ◽

Alvaro Alonso ◽

Rachael A Spencer ◽

Susan A Everson-Rose

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Adolescent Health ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

P Value ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

National Longitudinal Study ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Race Ethnicity

Background: Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) may be higher in sexual minorities, but epidemiologic evidence is sparse. We used a nationally representative sample of young adults to examine sex-specific disparities in global CVD risk by sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. Methods: Data were from National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health subjects who participated in wave 4 (2008-09) and who had valid weights and non-missing data (7087 women; 6340 men). Age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, financial stress, and CVD risk factors (body mass index, smoking, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and use of antihypertensive medication) were collected via an in-home interview. We calculated the 30-Year risk for total CVD using a Framingham-based prediction model. Sex-specific differences in 30-year risk of CVD by sexual orientation were calculated with weighted linear models adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, and financial distress. Sex-specific interactions between race/ethnicity and sexual orientation were tested. Results: Mean age was 28.9 ± .2 years; 93% (n=5912) of male participants were heterosexual, 4% (n=258) were bisexual, and 2% (n=170) were gay. 80% (n=5713) of female participants were heterosexual, 18% (n=1243) were bisexual, and 2% (n=131) were lesbian. Average 30-year risk of CVD was 17.2 ± .5% in men and 9.0 ± .3% in women. Differences in CVD risk by sexual orientation were not detectable for men (p=.59). Compared to heterosexual women, bisexual and lesbian women had a .9% (95% CI: .3, 1.4) and 2.0% (95% CI: .7, 3.2) higher risk of CVD, respectively. In race/ethnicity stratified models (interaction p-value=.01), an increased risk among sexual minorities, especially lesbians, was detectable except among Hispanic women (Figure). Conclusion: Disparities in global CVD risk were observed by sexual orientation for women and persisted across most racial/ethnic groups. Sexual orientation may be a marker of increased risk of CVD but more research on contributing factors is needed.

Download Full-text

Disparities in Subjective Cognitive Impairment by Sexual Orientation and Gender in a National Population Based Study of U.S. Adults, 2013–2018

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211046466 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432110464

Author(s):

Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen ◽

Hailey Jung ◽

Hyun-Jun Kim ◽

Ryan Petros ◽

Charles Emlet

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Population Based ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Subjective Cognitive Impairment ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

National Population ◽

And Gender

Objectives: This is the first national population-based study to examine cognitive impairment disparities among sexual minority mid-life and older adults. Methods: Using the National Health Interview Survey (2013–2018), we compared weighted prevalence of subjective cognitive impairment by sexual orientation and gender, among those aged 45 plus, applying logistic regressions adjusting for age, income, education, race/ethnicity, and survey years. Results: Sexual minorities (24.5%) were more likely to have subjective cognitive impairment than heterosexuals (19.1%). Sexual minority women had higher odds of greater severity, frequency, and extent of subjective cognitive impairment. Sexual minorities were also more likely to report activity limitations resulting from cognitive impairment and were no more likely to attribute limitations to dementia or senility. Discussion: Cognitive health disparities are of particular concern in this historically and socially marginalized population. The investigation of explanatory factors is needed, and targeted interventions and policies are warranted to address cognitive challenges faced by sexual minorities.

Download Full-text

The role of country-level structural stigma on sexual orientation disclosure and discrimination in health care settings among lesbian, gay, and bisexuals across Europe

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.467 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

R Bränström ◽

J E Pachankis

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Care Providers ◽

Health Care Settings ◽

Country Level ◽

Disclosure Of Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Orientation Disclosure

Abstract Background The national climate surrounding sexual minorities (i.e., those self-identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual [LGB]) varies greatly worldwide. Recent Cross-European studies have shown that country-level structural stigma is a strong determinant of sexual minority individuals health risk behaviors and mental health. The consequences of the significant country-level variation in structural stigma on sexual minorities’ experiences of health care discrimination and disclosure of sexual orientation to health care providers have not been previously investigated. Methods In 2012, 86 000 sexual minority individuals (aged 18 years and older) from all 28 European Union countries responded to questions concerning discrimination in health care settings and sexual orientation disclosure to health care providers (EU LGBT survey). Structural stigma was assessed using a combination of national laws and policies affecting sexual minorities and a measure of sexual minority acceptance among citizens of each country. Results Disclosure of sexual orientation to health care providers were much more common in low stigma coutries (e.g., the Netherlands, Sweden, UK) compared to high stigma coutries (e.g., Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia). Experiences of discrimination in health care settings were more common among LGB indiviudals who were open about their sexual orientaiton and increased by degree of country-level structural stigma. Conclusions Disclosure of sexual orientation and experiences of discrimination in health care settings varies greatly among LGB individuals in Europe largely due to structural stigma surrounding sexual minorities. Main messages These findings highlight the importance of eliminating legislation, policies, and national attitudes that promote the unequal treatment of sexual minorities in currently unsupportive European countries.

Download Full-text