You Can Form a Part of Yourself Online: The Influence of New Media on Identity Development and Coming Out for LGBTQ Youth

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley L. Craig ◽  
Lauren McInroy
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
New Media ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Lgbtq Youth

scholarly journals Thematic Analysis of My “Coming Out” Experiences Through an Intersectional Lens: An Autoethnographic Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enoch Leung
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Internal Conflict ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Developmental Task ◽  
Lgbtq Youth

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth, identity development is one of the most critical developmental task. LGBTQ youth are shown to be at risk for a variety of risk factors including depression and suicidal ideation and attempts due to how their identities are appraised in heteronormative societies. However, most LGBTQ educational psychology research have highlighted protective factors that are primarily relevant to support LGBTQ white-youth. One of the major developmental theories, Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, has identified adolescence as the period where identity development occurs. However, through an intersectional lens, identity development appears to encompass more than adolescence but also emerging adulthood, a developmental stage not accounted for by Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. The primary goal of this study is to seek to understand and question Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development through an intersectional lens of an autoethnography of my LGBTQ experiences. An autoethnographic approach [diary entries (N = 9), conversations (N = 12), interview (N = 1), social media websites and blogs (N = 2), and drawing (N = 1)] is used to understand my LGBTQ-person of color (POC) experiences of “coming out” or self-disclosure during my adolescence through emerging adulthood. Data was collected on April 2020 and spanned from 2006 through 2020 to account for the developmental period of adolescence and emerging adulthood (ages 13 through 27). Thematic analysis revealed four themes across the two developmental periods: (1) confusion and conflict between my gay and ethnic identity as a closeted adolescent, (2) my first “coming out” as a gay adolescent and “it got better,” (3) frustration arising from the internal conflict between my gay and POC identity as an emerging adult, and (4) frustration arising from external experiences with the flaws of LGBTQ community inclusivity. Results reflected a continuous theme of identity exploration and struggle through both adolescence and emerging adulthood, highlighting the need for future research to replicate similar experiences from other intersectional individuals during emerging adulthood stage, a developmental stage that is considered in between Erikson’s adolescent and young adulthood developmental stage.

Out in Time

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perry N. Halkitis
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Sexual Identity Development ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
American Society

The life experiences and sexual identity development of three generations of gay men, the Stonewall, AIDS, and Queer generations, are explored. While there are generational differences in the lived experiences of young gay men shaped by the sociopolitical contexts of the historical epoch in which they emerged into adulthood, and a crisis that has come to define each generation, there also are consistencies across generations and across time in the psychological process of coming out that defines identity formation of gay men, as these individuals transition from a period of sexual identity awareness to sexual identity integration. The life experiences are also shaped by conceptions of hypermasculinity, racism and discrimination, substance use, and adventurous sexuality. Despite the many challenges that have defined the lives of gay men across time and that are informed by the homophobia of American society, the vast majority of the population also has demonstrated resilience and fortitude in achieving both pride and dignity. These ideas are explored through the life narratives of fifteen diverse gay men, across the three generations.

“Family Support Would Have Been Like Amazing”

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Roe
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Phenomenological Inquiry ◽  
Inquiry Approach ◽  
And Bisexual

This qualitative study examines gay and bisexual adolescent experiences with parental and family support using a phenomenological inquiry approach. Four themes related to peer support emerged from the data including (1) coming out was necessary; (2) initial reactions of parents are most often not positive; (3) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth view religion as a barrier to support from parents; and (4) LGBTQ youth want explicit support from parents and family members. Implications for counselors working with parents, families, and individuals are discussed.

scholarly journals Social networking personality of adolescents and how it differs from their personality characteristics

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshyata Ray ◽  
Mrs Shivi Pathak ◽  
Shubham Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
New Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Self Presentation

Social media is used for variety of activities, including sharing information, interacting with peers and developing a coherent identity. Adolescents currently are growing up with new media, intertwining these in their daily lives. Identity development is a main task for adolescents and media provides possibilities for self-presentation. In this research, we examine, how aspects of online self-presentation are influenced by adolescents’ personality characteristics.

scholarly journals “Let Me Do What I Please With It . . . Don’t Decide My Identity For Me”: LGBTQ+ Youth Experiences of Social Media in Narrative Identity Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Bates ◽  
Trish Hobman ◽  
Beth T. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Narrative Identity ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Lgbtq Youth ◽  
Youth Identity ◽  
Multiple Context ◽  
Age Range

Social media provides Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) youth with daily access to a broader sociocultural dialogue that may shape narrative identity development. Through in-depth narrative interviews, this study sought to understand the lived experiences of 11 LGBTQ+ undergraduates ( age range = 19-23) building narrative identities in the cultural context of social media and the role of social media within this process. Interviews were analyzed using an interpretative, individual analysis of personal stories. These experiences were then compared and contrasted through thematic analysis to identify four shared narrative themes. Narratives of merging safe spaces highlight how LGBTQ+ youth now have regular access to safe environments online/offline which facilitate more secure identity development. Narratives of external identity alignment describe social media as a tool for LGBTQ+ youth to seek out identities that match their preexisting sense of self. Narratives of multiple context-based identities encapsulate how adolescents’ identity markers are multiple and invoked in a context-dependent manner. Finally, narratives of individuality and autonomy characterize how LGBTQ+ youth perceive themselves as highly individualized members of a wider community. These findings highlight the complex role social media plays within LGBTQ+ youth identity development. The implications are discussed within.

scholarly journals The Internet’s Multiple Roles in Facilitating the Sexual Orientation Identity Development of Gay and Bisexual Male Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 359-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary W. Harper ◽  
Pedro A. Serrano ◽  
Douglas Bruce ◽  
Jose A. Bauermeister
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Sexual Orientation Identity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Bisexual People

One emerging avenue for the exploration of adolescents’ sexual orientation identity development is the Internet, since it allows for varying degrees of anonymity and exploration. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the role of the Internet in facilitating the sexual orientation identity development process of gay and bisexual male adolescents. Qualitative interviews were conducted with an ethnically diverse sample of 63 gay/bisexual male adolescents (ages 15-23). Participants reported using a range of Internet applications as they explored and came to accept their sexual orientation identity, with the intended purpose and degree of anonymity desired determining which applications were used. Youth reported that the Internet provided a range of functions with regard to the exploration and acceptance of their sexual orientation identity, including (1) increasing self-awareness of sexual orientation identity, (2) learning about gay/bisexual community life, (3) communicating with other gay/bisexual people, (4) meeting other gay/bisexual people, (5) finding comfort and acceptance with sexual orientation, and (6) facilitating the coming out process. Future research and practice may explore the Internet as a platform for promoting the healthy development of gay and bisexual male adolescents by providing a developmentally and culturally appropriate venue for the exploration and subsequent commitment to an integrated sexual orientation identity.

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