Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sexual identity'

Sexual identity can be explored and developed in online and offline contexts. Over three studies this thesis looked at how people define sexual identity, associations between online and offline sexual activities and sexual identity development, and associations between online sexual activities, sexual identity, and sexual wellbeing and communication. These findings suggest people use the internet to learn about sexual identity and they highlight the importance of educating people on assessing online sources of information.

Responding to a lack of empirical research on a new generation of websites which are orientated towards interaction, this study aims to understand the ways in which sexualised space is constructed through web 2.0.· It does this by analysing the experiences of Turkish-German queers (TGQs) who use the Gayromeo and Delidivane social networking websites. Utilising qualitative data from a web questionnaire survey and both face-to-face and computer-mediated interviews, the study examines the production and consumption of these virtual spaces in light of the difficulties many TGQs are said to experience in their day-to-day lives. This includes racism within gay spaces of consumption, fears of rejection from family and homophobia within a conservative immigrant community. The study demonstrates how these problems are not applicable to the lives of all TGQs and it rejects the emergence of a homogenised 'global gay' identity. It explains instead a multiplicity of identities and heterogeneity to experience. It is argued that the production of personal profiles, usernames and personas can both challenge and reproduce dominant stereotypes. Whilst for some, Gayromeo and Delidivane are a means to assimilation or a pressure to conform; the websites are also central to the formation of alternative spaces in which multiple strands of identity can be expressed and a hybrid (queer) transnational culture celebrated. Furthermore, this study also reveals an online-offline binary in the literature that positions the virtual as being inauthentic against a so-called real. This research challenges this by explaining how the virtual is increasingly being carried within material space on a growing range of web-enabled devices and by describing how sexualised space is increasingly dependent upon the virtual. Consequently, it is argued that there is a greater need to examine how queers engage with web-enabled technologies locally.

This study investigated the utility of applying the social constructionist perspective to adolescent sexual minority identity development, disclosure, and identity explorations. Differences between middle and late adolescents and male and females were examined. No differences were found between middle and late adolescents on measures of identity development and identity exploration; however, differences in identity disclosure were found regarding history of accidental discovery of sexual orientation. Biological sex differences were found for identity development, disclosure, and exploration. Relationships between same- and opposite-sex attractions, behaviors, romantic experiences, and self-labels are presented. Trends in intentional disclosure patterns and unintentional discovery identify predicted reaction as a primary motivator in disclosure. Finally, different relationship styles in which sexual minorities engage are presented. Outcomes of relationship styles show better psychosocial outcomes for those engaging in different relationship styles compared to those who do not participate in relationships.

As the majority of Americans identify with a religious affiliation, the religious context is an important backdrop upon which identity development occurs. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youths, the process of development may be complicated in a religious context due to denominational positions on same-sex sexuality. While recent researchers highlighted the importance of contextual influences on LGBTQA developmental processes, few studies have examined LGBTQA sexual and religious identity development. The goal of the current study was to gain a better understanding and appreciation of LGBTQA adolescent and young adult experiences of religious and sexual identity development. Eight adolescents (15-18 years) and 11 emerging adults (19-24 years) who identified as both LGBTQA and having been raised in an active Christian religious tradition participated in the study. The study included three phases: face-to-face individual interviews, journal writings, and focus groups. In each phase of the study, participants were asked to reflect on their experiences of sexual and religious identity development across childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood (if applicable). Findings from the current study supported three broad themes and several subthemes. Early in their development, participants described a behavioral religious participation and early awareness of their same-sex attractions. The young adult participants also shared a tendency to deny their attractions. During their middle phase of experiences, participants often self-labeled as LGBTQA. Religiously, participants shared they questioned their beliefs yet continued their religious participation. A proportion of the participants indicated experiencing guilt, conflict, and mental health difficulties, which many participants related to their emerging sexual orientation and religious involvement. The late experiences, which often coincided with sharing a same-sex attracted label with friends and/or family members, was marked by a religious disengagement, social consequences, self-acceptance, and personal values clarification. Using the participants’ own words these findings are presented, along with possible implications and suggestions for future research.

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Bachelors
Sciences
Psychology

Four men with mild learning disabilities who were known to have had sexual contacts with other men completed semi-structured interviews aimed at eliciting information about the identities they had formed in relation to their sexuality and their learning disabilities. The interview data was transcribed and analysed using a qualitative methodology, Grounded Theory. Diagrammatic and verbal descriptions of the identities formed by the participants were produced, and common emerging themes were outlined, facilitating the generation of theories about how men with learning disabilities form identities. These were compared with existing knowledge about sexual identity formation in the non-learning disabled population, and with historical information about the development of homosexual identities. Men with learning disabilities were found to form quite different sexual identities to those formed by their non-learning disabled peers. Two participants were engaged in struggles to avoid having sexual identities, and a third had a fluctuating identity. Some of the identity solutions reached by participants could be better understood by making reference to historical, rather than contemporary, understandings of sexual identity. For all the participants, awareness of their learning disabilities had a marked impact upon their sexual identity, and disability itself also influenced identity formation. The roles of self-esteem, age, social context, negative experiences and individual coping strategies in identity formation were examined, as were the impacts of sexual identity upon psychological well-being and the practice of safer sex. Clinical and Theoretical implications of the findings were outlined, such as the need for support of self-determined adaptive coping strategies, and the possible relationship between intellectual ability and the ability to form healthy sexual identities. In addition, implications for the understanding of sexuality in non-learning disabled people were noted and directions for future research were indicated

Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att studera hur bisexuella personer förhåller sig till sin identitet i en binär värld. Fem personer (en med icke-binär könsidentitet, en man, två kvinnor och en queer kvinna) har intervjuats, och intervjuerna har analyserats utifrån tolkande fenomenologisk analys, även kallad IPA. I resultatet framkommer mycket som bekräftar tidigare forskning gällande identitetsutveckling där de genomgår faser av förvirring, behov av stolthet/komma ut, kulturell gemenskap och syntes. Deltagarna upplever också att det ställs vissa särskilda krav på bisexuella personer och har upplevelser av olika former av stigmatisering som riktas mot bisexualitet, såsom hypersexualitet, sexualisering och monosexism.
The aim of this thesis was to study how bisexually-identified people relate to their identity in a binary world. Five persons (one non-binary identified, one male-identified, two female-identified and one queer female-identified) have been interviewed, and the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, also known as IPA. The results confirm much of earlier research concerning sexual identity development where the participants went through phases of confusion, need of pride/coming out, need of cultural immersion and synthesis. The participants also experienced that there was particular demands on bisexual-identified people and how they experienced attraction, and they had several experiences of different forms of stigmatisation aimed at bisexuality, such as prejudices about hypersexuality, sexualisation and monosexism.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between adolescent sexual behavior, motivations, and identity status. A review of the literature indicated that deviant behaviors covary, and that drug use and abuse and the motivations for same are related to identity status . A questionnaire, including the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status(EOM-EIS) and a series of questions to gather information about sexual behaviors and motivations, was employed. The sample consisted of 579 university students ranging in age from 17 to 25. The dependent variable (sexual behavior and motivation) was viewed through the categorical assignments of identity status achieved, moratorium, foreclosed, and diffused, as well as through individual scores. As anticipated there was a relationship between sexual behavior and identity status; specifically, risky sexual behavior was positively correlated with identity diffusion, and abstinence with identity foreclosure. Adolescents in all statuses were equally consistent users of contraception, not just identity achieved as hypothesized. There was not a clear response pattern mediated by identity status as initially anticipated. Implications were discussed.

Counselors must have innovative knowledge and approaches regarding the multidimensional aspects of sexuality and gender identity. This session provides an overview of the five dimensions continuum model of biology, gender identity, gender expression, sexual/affectional orientation and sexual behavior. A case study is provided as an example of using the model with clients. The presentation will focus on the application of this multilayered approach in conceptualizing clients who identify as a sexual minority.

Childhood sexual abuse of adult men has brought many adulthood clinical manifestations and issues, with several of them being tied to male sexuality. Two groups (N = 11) of adult men, heterosexual (N = 9) and homosexual (N = 2), were compared to each other across several variables, noting any differences or similarities. The Kinsey Heterosexual - Homosexual scale, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, and a sexual abuse questionnaire were used to obtain information about the sexual orientation, present sex role identities, and past abuse experiences. The descriptive results suggested several trends indicating differences between sex role identification when compared to the average severity of sexual abuse factors experienced. Also, significant differences were found when t-tests and a one way A-NOVA were performed to compare the groups, sex roles, and Bem A and Bem B and Bem Differences. Recommendations for future research are outlined.

Sexual identity development is understood as an important task of identity formation during adolescence (Erikson, 1959, 1962). Models of minority sexual identity development (e.g. Cass, 1979; Troiden, 1989) have traditionally presented a series of linear stages from early awareness and confusion to later acceptance, pride and integration into an overall sense of self. However, such models have been criticised for relying on the retrospective recall of adults, lack of validity beyond their samples of primarily gay men, and privileging of identities that do not challenge heteronormative power structures (Eliason & Schope, 2007). To address these shortcomings, it was decided to explore sexual identity formation with a diverse group of young people. 15 young people attending LGBT youth groups, and aged between 13 and 17, participated in one of two focus groups, an individual interview, and / or an online discussion forum. Using a critical realist epistemology, a discourse analytic approach inspired by the work of Michel Foucault was employed to analyse the young people’s talk. Four discursive ‘sites’ in the constructions of ‘sexual identity’ were identified: ‘Identity development or identity positioning?’, ‘Being normal’ (with love constructed as the same for all, but gay/lesbian sex constructed as different), ‘Rainbow sheep’ (e.g. social isolation), and ‘Coherence and stability’ of identities. Theoretical stages of identity development were recast as subject positions made available through discourse and material conditions; rather than simply psychological, they are inherently social. A deployment of ‘equality’ was found in the construction of love as being the same for all regardless of sexual identity, tying minority sexual identities into a heteronormative framework of romantic relationships. Heteronormative constructions of sex cast gay and lesbian sex as ‘different’ but also limited the availability of alternative views of sex outside this frame. Implications for research, service provision and clinical psychology practice are discussed.

Historically non-heterosexual individuals have faced prejudice and discrimination in daily life. Non-heterosexuals experience oppression and discrimination that affect personal development on all levels. An increased awareness of sexual identity development could create more inclusive sexual identity models, better understanding for counselor educators, and better training for counselors on issues of sexual identity. The purpose of this study was to explore the life experiences that influence sexual identity in women who love women. This study required that subjects attach meaning to sexual identity formation. Qualitative research methodologies were used in the study. Participants were selected for this study in a thoughtful and purposeful manner and within specified parameters. Data were collected through two face-to-face interviews with the participants; member checking and peer debriefing offered consistency through the use of a semi-structured interview guide. Phenomenological approach and constant comparison was used for data analysis. From the data collected, four themes emerged: I was Just Different, Information Seeking, View of Self as a Woman Within the Context of Culture, and Contextual Relationships. Findings of this study did not support a stage model of sexual identity development. Instead, this study supported the view that sexual identity is fluid and strongly related to relationships with peer groups. All participants reported that sexual identity formation was a painful process.

Examined within this study were the relations between two processes within sexual identity development, sexual identity exploration and sexual identity commitment, and risky sexual behaviors. The moderating effects of sexual identity commitment, sexual self-efficacy, and positive condom use attitudes on relations between sexual identity exploration and risky sexual behaviors were also examined. Risky sexual behaviors included the frequency of substance prior to and barrier protection use during sex, multiple sex partners, and the initiation of sex prior to age sixteen. Study participants included 322 college students attending an urban university in the Southeastern United States. All were heterosexual and reported engaging in vaginal, anal or oral sex in the past 30 days. A high percentage of study participants reported at least one risky sexual behavior in the past 30 days, and most reported not using barrier protection during anal and oral sex. No direct effects were found between sexual identity exploration and any risky sexual behavior. Only one direct effect was found between higher levels of sexual identity commitment and lower frequencies of barrier protection use for oral sex. No moderating effects were found for sexual identity commitment, sexual self-efficacy, or positive condom use attitudes on relations between sexual identity exploration and any risky sexual behavior. The findings highlight the importance of examining how to get emerging adults to consistently use barrier protection during any type of sexual behavior. The results also underscore the complexity of sexual risk-taking during emerging adulthood, and the need for continued examination of the ways in which processes associated with sexual identity development may impact sexual risk-taking during emerging adulthood.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals are found that be at a greater risk of a range of psychopathologies compared to their heterosexual counterparts (King et al., 2008). This disparity has been attributed to increased social adversity faced by sexual minorities, including exposure to sexuality based discrimination, as well as negative attitudes and beliefs that sexual minority individuals may develop about their stigmatised identities (Meyer, 2003). The aim of this thesis was twofold. The first aim was to examine how beliefs about the nature and aetiology of sexual orientation are linked to a range of sexual identity outcomes relevant to psychological wellbeing, including self-acceptance and certainty in one’s sexual orientation, and, whether these associations differ between sexual minority subgroups (i.e., gay vs. lesbian vs. bisexual men and women). The second aim was to examine a macro-level factor, geographical locality, to examine how the experience of sexual minority stress, LGB community connectedness, and social isolation differ for LGB Australians residing in rural vs. metropolitan localities. In the first chapter of this thesis (Chapter 1), I review literature relevant to mental health disparities in LGB populations and sexual minority stress, before going on to examine the structure and implications of heterosexuals’ beliefs about sexual orientation, and the limited literature examining the sexual orientation beliefs of sexual minority individuals. I then propose a theoretical model linking certain facets of sexual orientation essentialism with sexual orientation outcomes and psychological wellbeing in LGB individuals. Three studies (Chapters 2 through 4) sequentially examine the implications of sexual orientation beliefs for sexual identity outcomes in sexual minority subgroups. Two correlational studies examine the proposed theoretical model using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in a large sample of gay men (Study 1) and lesbian vs. bisexual women (Study 2). Study 1 found that gay men endorse a mixture of essentialist and social constructionist beliefs about sexual orientation, and that these beliefs hold divergent relationships for internalised homonegativity and sexual orientation uncertainty. Most notably, those perceiving sexual orientation as biologically based and immutable (natural) reported increased certainty in their sexual orientation, whilst those viewing sexuality as existing in discrete categories (discrete) reported increased internalised homonegativity, and in turn poorer psychological wellbeing. In Study 2, a slightly modified theoretical model was tested among lesbian and bisexual women. Similar to the case in gay men, biological-immutability beliefs were linked to less sexual orientation uncertainty in lesbian and bisexual women. Notably however, discreteness beliefs were associated with increased internalised stigma and poorer psychological wellbeing in bisexual women only; presumably, as such beliefs imply that bisexual identity is unstable or illegitimate. Finally, inclusion of sexual attraction patterns in this model revealed that 1) lesbian women reporting more exclusive same-sex attraction are more likely to embrace biological-immutability and discreteness beliefs, and 2) a-prototypical attraction patterns (non-exclusive same-sex attraction among lesbian women and same or opposite-sex preference among bisexual women) predicts poorer wellbeing via increased sexual orientation uncertainty. As such, sexual orientation beliefs appear to predict sexual identity outcomes among LGB individuals, with unique patterns of associations observed across sexual minority subgroups. Study 3 examined how sexual orientation was conceptualised across sexual minority subgroups, focusing in particular on the emerging sexual identities of “pansexual” and “queer”. This study found that gay men were most likely to conceive of sexual orientation as biologically based/immutable and categorical in nature, followed by lesbian women, and that bisexual men and women, and those adopting pansexual and queer identities, were least likely to adopt these beliefs. Demographics and sexual orientation indicators revealed that pansexual participants were most reminiscent of bisexual, whilst queer participants were most reminiscent of gay/lesbian populations. Chapter 5 (Study 4) addressed the second aim of this thesis, examining whether rural vs. metropolitan locality independently predicted exposure to sexual minority stress, connectedness with the LGB community and social isolation among sexual minority Australians. Residing in rural-remote localities was linked to increased concealment of sexuality from friends, more concern regarding disclosure of sexuality, fewer friendships with other LGB people and, among men, higher levels of internalised homonegativity. Unexpectedly, those residing in outer-metropolitan areas of major cities demonstrated comparable disadvantages, as those in rural-remote localities. In the final chapter (Chapter 7) the contribution of these findings to understanding the implications of sexual orientation beliefs among distinct sexual minority communities, as well the role of geographical locality in conferring risk for psychopathology among LGB populations, are interpreted in light of previous findings. Finally, I examine implications of these findings for the ethics of scientific research into sexual orientation, LGB advocacy, and counselling psychology, before discussing limitations and future directions for research.

Research in the field of bisexuality has identified that bisexuals experience a unique kind of phobia, in that phobic responses to their sexual preferences appear from both mainstream and LGBT communities. However, little research in the UK has been conducted within the arena of sport culture to cater for the particular welfare needs of bisexual athletes. As an additional consequence, there is little theorisation of bisexuality available within the context of sport sociology. This research contributes to debates in the politics of identity by exploring a fairly new landscape within sport culture using a Foucauldian analysis of power. Discourse analyses have been utilised to interpret thirteen semi-structured interviews conducted with British athletes on the topics of bi-invisibility and the general problem of homophobia. This research also contributes to discussions concerning the mobilisation of power through discourse – certain discursive practices function to legitimize normative over non-normative sexualities and queer/fluid/bisexual identities are further stigmatized and othered. The main findings suggest that exclusions are mobilised most effectively, ironically, through sport cultural practices of inclusion, in that they are almost exclusively sexual identity-based. Additionally, this study offers a theoretical explanation for the peripheralisation of bisexuality in sport culture which can shed new light on bisexual theory in mainstream culture. It makes important suggestions as to the new directions future research can take in order to advance the current knowledge bases concerning the effects of bantering. This research proposes that practices of bantering can be just as marginalising as those of bullying. In the resultant climate of covert exclusions, organizational sporting bodies could benefit from paying close attention to the disempowering effects of biphobic and homophobic language, whether humorously intended or otherwise. This is with particular respect to youth footballing academies and spectator communities.

Background: Sexual behaviour among schoolchildren and adolescents is a sparsely researched area and there are delicate methodological obstacles and ethical concerns when conducting such research. Still it is a subject that engages both parents and professionals. A sexualized behaviour or an early sexual debut (younger than 14 years) can be a sign of sexual abuse. It is therefore of importance to describe what is common and what is uncommon sexual behaviour among children and what the consequences of an early or a late sexual debut may be for the individual upon reaching late adolescence. Adolescents who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) are also a group that needs further attention and research since they are often described as having a lower quality of life and more often experience child abuse than heterosexual teens. Aims: The research leading to this thesis had four goals: 1) to elucidate the sexual behaviour of children between the ages of 7 and 13 as observed by their parents, 2) to investigate the relationship between an early sexual debut (before 14 years of age) and socio-demographic data, sexual experience, health, experience of child abuse and behaviour at 18-years-of-age, 3) to explore associations with no sexual debut (no oral, vaginal or anal sex) at the age of 18, and 4) to describe the relationship between sexual identification and socio-demographic background data, sexual behaviour, health and health behaviour, experiences of child sexual and/or physical abuse and present behaviour among Swedish adolescents. Methods: The parents of 418 children answered questionnaires about their child’s behaviour, both general and sexual, and a sample of 3432 Swedish high school students completed a survey about sexuality, health and abuse at the age of 18. In addition, 362 members of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL) completed the same survey at a mean age of 21.4 years. Results: Most of the sexual behaviours among the schoolchildren were common, and in part related to, or varied with, age and gender. A small number of sexual behaviours often referred to as sexualised or problematic behaviours (for example, kissing adults with the tongue, imitating intercourse, masturbating in public, and touching other children’s genitals with the mouth) were found to be very unusual or not reported by any parent in this normative group of Swedish children. Among the adolescents, an early debut (younger than 14 years of age) correlated positively with number of partners, experience of oral and anal sex, smoking, drug and alcohol use and antisocial behaviour, such as being violent, lying, stealing and running away from home. Girls with an early sexual debut had significantly more experience of sexual abuse while boys with an early sexual debut were more likely to have a weak sense of coherence, low self-esteem and poor mental health, together with experience of sexual abuse, selling sex and physical abuse. A multiple logistic regression model showed that a number of antisocial acts and health behaviours remained significant, but early sexual debut did not increase the risk of psychiatric symptoms, low self-esteem or low sense of coherence at 18-years-of-age. Just under a quarter (24.6%) of the 3,380 adolescents had not had their sexual debut (no oral, anal or vaginal sex by the age of 18). There was a positive correlation between not debuting sexually at age 18 and a number of factors such as: being more likely to have caring fathers; parents born outside Europe; low sexual desire; lower pornography consumption; lower alcohol and tobacco consumption; less antisocial behavior and fewer experiences of sexual abuse than 18 year olds who had already made their sexua  debut. Adolescents with a minority sexual identity more often described their relationship with their parents as based on low care and high overprotection than did their heterosexual peers. The minority adolescents used alcohol and drugs to a significantly higher degree than the heterosexual adolescents. Multivariate analysis showed a positive correlation between a minority sexual identity and experience of anal sex, higher sexual lust, experience of sexual abuse, physical abuse and sexual exploitation. It was more than twice as common to have experience of penetrating sexual abuse and physical abuse with a sexual minority identity. Conclusions: Behaviours usually referred to as sexualised and problematic are uncommon among children at 7-13 years of age. Professionals and should give a child showing a sexualised behaviour special attention and investigate the reasons for the behaviour. Early sexual debut seems to be associated with problematic behaviours during later adolescence, indicating the fact that the early debut for some children is associated with an increased vulnerability, which has to be addressed. Family socio-demographics such as family stability and/or cultural status matter when it comes to time of sexual debut. Personality also seems to matter and further studies are needed to investigate if there is any correlation between personality traits and late sexual debut. Adolescents with no sexual debut at 18 years of age reported fewer antisocial acts, were less likely to smoke and drink alcohol, had less sexual desire and less experience of sexual abuse. Young people with a sexual minority identity (homo- and bisexual) could be seen to have a lower quality of life compared to heterosexual peers and studies need to be done to further explore possible reasons. They have a higher risk of having experience of sexual and physical abuse compared to heterosexual adolescents. Professionals need to be more aware of this group’s additional vulnerability including the increased risk of child abuse and offer different forms of support.
Barns och ungdomars sexuella beteenden är ett område som engagerar både föräldrar och professionella men det är ett förhållandevis outforskat område. Kanske mycket på grund av att det är ett tabubelagt område och att finns en hel del metodologiska hinder och etiska betänkligheter vid sådan forskning. Ett sexualiserat beteende kan vara tecken på sexuella övergrepp och det är därför viktigt att beskriva vad som är vanligt förekommande och förväntade sexuella beteenden hos barn och unga tillika vilka beteenden som är ovanliga och som kanske behöver utredas vidare. En tidig sexuell debut (debut före 14 års ålder) kan ses som ett riskbeteende i sig men även ett beteende kopplat till andra riskbeteenden som alkoholkonsumtion eller antisociala beteenden. Att vänta med den sexuella debuten beskrivs ibland som något önskvärt men det är inte särskilt väl utforskat. Därför är det viktigt att ta reda på vilka konsekvenser en tidig eller sen sexuell debut får för individen och vilka andra beteenden som är kopplade till en tidig eller sen sexuell debut. Ett annat viktigt område när det gäller ungdomar och sexualitet är sexuell identitet och dess konsekvenser. Ungdomar med en sexuell identitet som homo-, bisexuell eller transperson (HBT) beskrivs i tidigare forskning ofta uppleva en lägre livskvalitet samt oftare ha erfarenhet av barnmisshandel än jämnåriga med heterosexual identitet. Studierna i denna avhandling hade fyra huvudsyften: 1), att undersöka sexuella beteenden hos barn i åldrarna 7 till 13 år 2,) att undersöka sambanden mellan en tidig sexuell debut (yngre än 14 år) och sociodemografi, sexuella erfarenheter, hälsa, erfarenhet av barnmisshandel och beteende vid 18 års ålder 3), sen sexuell debut (ingen frivillig erfarenhet av oral-, vaginaleller analsex vid 18 års ålder) och sociodemografi, sexuella erfarenheter, hälsa, erfarenhet av barnmisshandel och beteende vid 18 års ålder samt 4), att beskriva relationen mellan sexuell identitet och sociodemografi, sexuellt beteende, hälsa, erfarenheter av barnmisshandel och nuvarande beteenden hos svenska 18-åringar. Föräldrarna till 418 barn i åldern 7 till 13 år svarade på en enkät angående deras barns generella och sexuella beteenden. För att undersöka ungdomars sexuella beteenden, debut och identitet genomfördes en undersökning bland 3432 svenska gymnasieelever i 18-års ålder. Dessutom svarade 362 medlemmar i Svenska Förbundet för homosexuellas, bisexuellas och transpersoners rättigheter (RFSL), med en medelåder på 21.4 år, på samma enkät. Det visade sig att många sexuella beteenden bland 7 till 13-åringarna var vanligt förekommande och att de varierade i frekvens med ålder och kön. Problematiska eller oroväckande sexuella beteenden (som till exempel att kyssa vuxna med tungan, imitera samlag, onanera inför andra, röra andras könsorgan med munnen och så vidare) rapporterades inte av några föräldrar eller var mycket ovanliga. En tidig sexuell debut (yngre än 14 år) korrelerade positivt med högre antal sex partner, erfarenhet av oral- och analsex, rökning, drog- och alkoholanvändning och antisocialt beteende, såsom våldsbenägenhet, att ljuga, stjäla och sova borta utan att föräldrarna vet om det. Flickor med en tidig sexuell debut hade större erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp än flickor med senare debut. Pojkar med en tidig sexuell debut hade oftare en svag känsla av sammanhang, låg självkänsla, psykisk ohälsa, erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp, att sälja sex eller fysisk misshandel jämfört med pojkar med en senare debut. Knappt en fjärdedel (24,6%) av de 3380 ungdomarna hade inte haft frivillig sexuell debut (oral-, anal- eller vaginalsex) vid 18 års ålder. Ungdomar med sen sexuell debut hade oftare en pappa-barn relation som byggde på en hög grad av omsorg. De hade oftare föräldrar födda utanför Europa, låg sexuell lust, låg pornografikonsumtion, låg alkohol- och tobakskonsumtion, få antisociala beteenden och mer sällan erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp än 18-åringar som redan debuterat sexuellt. Ungdomarna med sexuell identitet som homo- eller bisexuella hade oftare en föräldra-barn relation som byggde på låg omsorg och hög kontroll än sina heterosexuella kamrater. De homo-och bisexuella ungdomarna använde också mer alkohol och droger jämfört med de heterosexuella ungdomarna. Multivariat analys visade ett positivt samband mellan homo- och bisexualitet och erfarenhet av analsex, sexuell lust, erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp, misshandel och erfarenhet att sälja sex. Det var mer än dubbelt så vanligt att ha erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp och fysisk misshandel hos de med en sexuell minoritets identitet. En av slutsatserna blev att översexualiserade eller problematiska sexuella beteenden är sällsynta hos barn i 7-13 års ålder. Det är viktig kunskap för professionella som arbetar med barn och som ofta får frågor kring barns olika beteenden och måste avgöra om det är förväntade och vanligt förekommande beteenden eller beteenden som ska leda till någon form av utredning, Om ett barn visar ett översexualiserat eller annorlunda sexuellt beteende ska det observeras och undersökas vidare av professionella med kunskap om barn och dess utveckling. Tidig sexuell debut verkar vara förknippad med andra problematiska beteenden under senare tonåren. Detta kan också tyda på att den tidiga debuten för vissa barn är associerat med en ökad sårbarhet, som också måste identifieras och tillgodoses av olika yrkeskategorier som arbetar med barn och ungdomar. Det finns olika anledningar till varför vissa ungdomar inte haft sexuell debut vid 18 års ålder. Faktorer som familjestabilitet och kulturell bakgrund spelade roll. Ungdomar med sen sexuell debut rapporterade färre antisociala handlingar, var mindre benägna att röka och dricka alkohol, hade mindre sexuell lust och mindre erfarenhet av sexuella övergrepp. Ytterligare studier behövs för att undersöka om det finns något samband mellan personlighetsdrag och sen sexuell debut. Ungdomar med en sexuell identitet som homo- eller bisexuell skulle kunna anses ha en lägre livskvalitet jämfört med heterosexuella kamrater men ytterligare studier måste göras för att ytterligare utforska möjliga orsaker. Det visade sig vara mycket vanligare med erfarenhet av såväl fysisk misshandel som sexuella övergrepp bland dessa ungdomar. Vuxna och framför allt professionella behöver bli mer medvetna om denna grupps sårbarhet, den ökade risken för erfarenhet av barnmisshandel och kunna erbjuda olika former av stöd.

Elevated social anxiety (SA) is linked to issues with emotional distress, substance use, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Notwithstanding concerns of how sexuality has been defined in the extant literature, emerging evidence suggests that the prevalence of SA and related challenges may be disproportionately present among sexual minorities, including lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (LGBs). This trend may be especially relevant within the developmental context of emerging adulthood, an important period for development of sexual identity, and a time when individuals are already predisposed to heightened feelings of SA. The present study examined the relationship between sexual orientation (measured using sexual identity, sexual attraction, and past romantic and sexual behavior) and social anxiety (related to social interaction and social performance) among emerging adults. minority sexual identities [Welch's F(5,48.08) = 5.56, p = .002, ηp2 = .02.], same-sex attraction [Welch's F(4,108.06) = 11.27, p < .001, ηp2 = .04], and same-sex romantic [Welch's F(5,85.91) = 6.88, p < .001, ηp2 = .03] and sexual experiences[F(5,61.95) = 8.88, p < .001, ηp2 = .04], particularly among those who indicated attraction to multiple sexes. Findings support research that indicates that sexual minority adults experience higher levels of SA than majority (i.e., heterosexual, opposite-sex oriented) adults, and that assessment of sexuality may reflect number of sexual minorities identified. Future directions including intersections of race/ethnicity and gender are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to highlight LGBT asylum-seekers experiences of expressing their sexual identity or gender identity in the country of origin and in the asylum process in Sweden. By interviewing people who got permanent residence in Sweden because of gender or sexual orientation in Utlänningslagen (2005:716) we have been able to explore their own experiences from expressing themselves. This study analyse these experiences from a social psychological perspective, from this analysis we aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of how the experiences from the country of origin affects on the experiences in the asylum process. This study shows that LGBT asylum-seekers often is facing negative reactions from the environment in the country of origin, these reactions can limit their possibilities to express their sexual identity or gender identity in the asylum process in Sweden. The negative reactions they experience in the country of origin have contributed to that many LGBT people internalize feelings of fear to express themselves, feelings that often stays when they come to Sweden to seek asylum. We hope that this study will contribute to a better treatment and reception from social workers and other professionals who meet these people in their work, by increased knowledge of the conditions under which LGBT people are coming to seek asylum in Sweden.

This study examined religious and sexual identity conflict and gay-related stress, and how they are related to difficulty with LGB identity formation and mental health outcomes. A sample of 172 adolescents and emerging adults were recruited as part of a larger research project. Study participants ranged in age from 14 to 26 years, and identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Descriptive information was collected regarding religious identity and religious/sexual identity conflict in the sample. Additionally, a model was tested that examined LGB identity difficulty as a potential mediator of the relationships between a) religious conflict and mental health, and b) gay-related stress and mental health. The Religious, Spiritual, and Sexual Identities Questionnaire was created to assess religious/spiritual identity and religious and sexual identity conflict. The Measure of Gay-Related Stress was used to measure gay-related stress. The Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale was used to measure LGB identity difficulty. The Behavior Assessment System for Children was used to measure mental health. Adequate fit for the model was found after removing direct paths from religious/sexual identity conflict and gay-related stress to mental health, indicating that LGB identity difficulty fully accounted for these two relationships. These findings are clinically important as they emphasize the importance of LGB identity difficulty in examining mental health outcomes related to religious conflict and gay-related stress.

This qualitative study is an exploration of the ways individuals experience and reconcile seemingly incompatible sexual and religious identities. The experience of espousing a religious identity which prohibits homosexuality while simultaneously being attracted to others of the same gender is not uncommon. This phenomenon and how individuals navigate it is poorly understood. Though it is often mentioned in existing literature, few if any studies highlight conflicting identities as the core conflict for this population. No existing studies apply identity theories to the phenomenon. For this study data were taken from two points in time, over nearly four years, from four participants. Results from survey 1 and survey 2 were compared for insights into the process of reconciliation. Results were also compared to two strains of identity theory (Stryker and Burke, 2000) to identify applicability of said theory to this phenomenon. Participants all report a conflict between sexual and religious identities. Relatively minor shifts in how they conceptualize and make meaning of their experiences are observed. All experienced a deepening of their understanding and relationship with self and God. Some report aspects of therapy that were helpful/unhelpful to them in this process. Also included are strengths and limitations of this study, implications for future research, and application of findings to a clinical setting.
Master of Science

The purpose of this research is to examine sexual identity and sexual fluidity from a multicultural social work perspective. Examination includes having an understanding of the components of sexual identity development, the stability of sexual identity overtime and the challenges of sexual fluidity and identity. This provides a more substantial evaluation of themes within sexuality.

This content analysis of existing literature on sexual identity and sexual fluidity reveals findings and gaps in the research. In addition, it identifies areas in which further research is needed. This allows for more competent social work practices to effectively address issues of sexual identity. Findings suggest that it is difficult to capture the basic process that each individual experiences because circumstances can be unique for everyone. Patterns based on categorization within sexuality suggest that sexuality should be understood on a continuum.

This purpose of this study was to validate the concept of homosexual identity formation using psychosocial personality measures and occupational congruence. Of additional interest was personality or occupational congruence differences which may exist between men who choose to enter job fields stereotyped as gay and those who do not choose those fields.

The sexual identity development process in gay men was the focus of this study. It was theorized that, as a result of negative experiences with the dominant heterosexual culture, gay men might feel mistrustful of heterosexuals in various settings. A new theoretical construct, that of heterosexual mistrust, was identified and explored. A new scale, the Heterosexual Mistrust Inventory (HMI), was created to measure this construct. Gay male subjects' stage of homosexual identity formation (HIF) was also determined. Results indicated that heterosexual mistrust existed to a significantly stronger degree among gay men than among heterosexual men. Heterosexual mistrust was strongly related to stage of HIF. The various settings in which heterosexual mistrust was found to occur were discussed. Implications for current knowledge about HIF and about cultural belief systems unique to gay men were identified and explored.

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual orientation is comprised of distinct components, including sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behavior. Lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents are at an increased risk of experiencing poor health outcomes compared to non-sexual minority youth. Health care professional organizations recommend that health care providers discuss each component of sexual orientation at every adolescent health supervision visits in order to best assess the adolescent's health risks and needs for intervention and education. Objective: This survey assessed the frequency with which nurse practitioners (NPs) in the state of Vermont discussed sexual identity, attraction and behavior with adolescents during annual health supervision visits. Design: A cross sectional study that analyzed descriptive statistics of a small convenience sample of Vermont NPs. Setting and Participants: Attendees of the Vermont Nurse Practitioner Association 2015 annual conference. Participants in the study were licensed, practicing NPs in the state of Vermont responsible for the health supervision of adolescents. Results: Participants were overwhelmingly female (93%), with a median age between 40-49 years old, and a median length of years in practice of six to ten years. Sixty-two percent of respondents specialized in family practice. Respondents reported that they always asked adolescents about the sex of sexual partners at 49% of health supervision visits. Respondents always discussed sexual attraction and sexual identity at 31% and 24% of health supervision visits, respectively. Twenty percent of respondents reported rarely or never discussing sexual attraction, and 38% reported rarely or never discussing sexual identity. Conclusions: The Vermont NPs who participated in this survey were demographically similar to national NP cohorts. Vermont NPs discussed the adolescent's sexual behavior at health supervision visits as frequently as health care providers nationally, and Vermont NPs discussed sexual attraction and sexual identity more frequently than providers nationally. However, Vermont NPs discussed sexual attraction and identity much less frequently than they discussed sexual behavior. Results of this survey illustrate that there is substantial room for improvement regarding the frequency with which Vermont NPs discuss the three components of sexual orientation with adolescents, particularly the components of sexual identity and attraction.

The prevalence of nonmarital sexual behavior among adolescents continues to rise, as does the number of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, and unwanted pregnancies. College-age adolescents appear to be even more susceptible to these problems. Sound theoretical knowledge would seem useful in designing more effective prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to identity theoretical factors that contribute to or decrease such behaviors. Two hundred fifty-two single college students completed measures designed to examine relations among identity development, attachment patterns, gender, and sexual behavior in older adolescents. Attachment and identity measures were used to explore variations in sexual behavior relating to identity development and the quality of intimate relationships formed in late adolescence. Three measures were used to assess these theoretical constructs and to measure sexual behavior: The Personal Opinion Survey contains Grotevant and Adams' 64-item Extended Version of the Objective Measure ofEgo Identity Status; a modified version of Simpson, Rholes, and Nelligan's 13-item Attachment Style measure; and 19 items that assess sexual behaviors. Results confirmed statistically significant relations among identity development, attachment patterns, gender, and sexual behavior. Specifically, correlational analyses confirmed relations among identity, attachment, and premarital intercourse, age of first intercourse, and items pertaining to risky sexual behavior. Identity was also statistically significantly related to premarital intercourse. Attachment and identity sub scale scores were predictive of sexual behavior when multiple regression equations were generated. Previous studies of identity, gender, and intimacy among older adolescents support the findings ofthis study. Other researchers have found relationships between attachment and intimacy among this population. The results of this study and future research areas are discussed.

Limited research describes the impact of ethnic groups and mores, especially those of Asian ethnicities, on the development of a global queering theory of sexual-identity development. The purpose of this grounded-theory study was to investigate the sexual-identity development of homosexuals in a non-Western collectivist culture and the extent of influence Western gay expatriates have on Chinese gay males' sexual-identity development. Five identity-development models served as the theoretical foundations of this study: Cass, Troiden, McCarn and Fassinger, D'Augelli, Gock, and the conceptual theory of global queering. NVivo aided in data organization, while coding and analysis were applied to the data. Individual, Skype interviews were held with 22 Chinese gay men. Participants explained how Western influence changed and was adapted to cultural norms even when no similarities emerged in the combining cultures. This research increases understanding of collectivist cultures and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities embedded in them. Understanding can create positive social change affecting the coming-out process, cultural diffusion, and same-sex couples in collectivist cultures. This study may spur a call for additional research into LGBT communities globally on sexual-identity development, particularly in relation to race and culture.

This study explores the identity development and psychological adjustment of bisexual individuals (n = 122) as compared to homosexual (n = 38) and heterosexual participants (n = 490). Undergraduate students recruited from psychology classes at a large metropolitan university in Florida (67% female, 64% Caucasian) took an online survey for course extra credit. Bisexual and homosexual participants scored higher in identity exploration than the heterosexual participants. Bisexual participants scored significantly higher in psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. The three groups were not significantly different in identity commitment nor in identity distress. Female bisexual participants scored more similar to the homosexual participants in identity exploration, while the male bisexual participants were more similar to the heterosexual participants. Among males, bisexual and homosexual participants reported greater psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. There were no differences between groups for female participants in regard to symptom severity. This study highlights the need for more research into the psychological correlates of bisexuality as a distinct group from homosexuality, as well as the need to focus on gender as a significant moderator of these relationships.
M.S.
Masters
Psychology
Sciences
Psychology Clinical

Surgical intervention on infants with intersex variations is done largely for social reasons to create a ‘typical’ boy or girl at an age where the individual cannot express their consent. The literature review identified that individuals who had non-consensual surgical intervention as infants were more likely to experience mental distress, trauma, and poor sexual satisfaction and experiences in adulthood. Sex assignments may create social issues subjecting them to potential discrimination; creating difficulties accessing some health services, discrimination at school, from peers, or within their families. This thesis reports on a study via a critical lens used to challenge the essentialist paradigm used by health professionals and institutions that operate under the two-sex binary. The aim of this study was to explore the long-term psychosocial repercussions of interventions on intersex infants and other lived experiences from adult, retrospective voices; reflecting on experiences in healthcare, in school, on forming friendships, family relationships, reflecting on their reared gender experience, navigating dating and intimacy, and sexual satisfaction, experiences, and desires. This study obtained data via an online survey (n=86) and included those who did and did not experience interventions on an international scale. The dataset was investigated via a qualitative process using a modified ground theory approach, in addition to a quantitative approach via SPSS. Almost all participants found surgical intervention to be inappropriate. The appropriateness of their reared gender was another strong predictor of negative life experiences. Participants reported a greater need for education for healthcare providers, including better transitions from adolescent to adult care. Some participants often preferred to be alone or have few close friends at school, and some harboured negative feelings towards their parents regarding their interventions or imposed genders in childhood. Results showed that the imposition of sex and gender, and unwanted interventions had negative impacts on intersex people. By gaining a greater understanding of these impacts, health professionals, schools and families may be able to improve their practices, policies and attitudes to become more supportive of bodily diversity.

This thesis examines the relationship between the sexual formation of identity and three ‘impressing technologies’ (sealing, coining and printing) in Shakespearean drama. In a number of plays, Shakespeare uses the ‘language of impression’ to create metaphors that analogise sexual activities such as kissing, defloration and impregnation with acts of imprinting. In doing so, I argue, he establishes a rhetorical nexus that contributes to the construction of his characters’ sexual identities. Following a chapter on relevant historical contexts, each chapter close reads a single Shakespeare play, focusing on its language of impression. Chapter 2 considers the representation of wounds as impressions in Coriolanus and tracks the development of the protagonist’s identity as a hyper-masculine war machine that stamps and is stamped. Chapter 3 investigates the role of sealing imagery in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play which subverts the patriarchal figuration of women as impressionable wax to be transformed by the imprints of men. Chapter 4 analyses the recurring metaphor of counterfeit coining in Measure for Measure, a trope that associates figures of state with their sexually transgressive subjects. And chapter 5 addresses the analogy of procreation with printing in The Winter’s Tale, arguing that this aspect of the play’s rhetoric influenced the composition of the preliminaries to Shakespeare’s First Folio. The thesis concludes by comparing the plays and exploring what it is that makes Shakespeare ‘impressive’.

Valet av vårt ämne har framförallt sprungit ur att vi har sett en brist vad gäller problematisering kring sexuell identitet och socialt arbete. Vårt syfte med denna uppsats har varit att undersöka hur personal på behandlingshem ser på den sexuella identitetens betydelse inom missbrukarvård. Vi har dessutom intervjuat en psykolog på RFSL om hennes perspektiv på ämnet. I uppsatsen tar vi även upp hur man ser på sexualiteten och den sexuella identiteten i förhållande till kön, då vi har sett att kön och sexualitet är tätt sammankopplat. Vi har använt oss av kvalitativ metod och semistrukturerade intervjuer med två personer som arbetar på könssegregerad missbruksbehandling och två som arbetar på könsblandad. Den femte personen är från RFSL och har en annan utgångspunkt eftersom hon står utanför den institutionella missbrukarvården. Intervjupersonernas svar har vi analyserat och tolkat med hjälp av tidigare forskning samt teorier framförallt av Judith Butler, Beverly Skeggs samt Robert W. Connell. Uppsatsens visar hur intervjupersonerna förhåller sig till och ser på just den sexuella identiteten i förhållande till behandling. Vad vi framförallt har sett varit genomgående är att sexualitet i sig kan vara svårt att tala om, vilket ger personer som är osäkra i sin sexuella identitet litet utrymme att komma till tals och få den hjälp den behöver. När det gäller sexualitet och sexuell identitet har vi sett att man ofta resonerar kring komplementära kön.