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Thesis
DISCLOSURE, SEXUALITY-SPECIFIC SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND LGB PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2013
Abstract
Previous literature has noted the importance of disclosure of one's non-heterosexual sexual orientation as an integral part of developing a synthesized gay identity and its relationship with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals' psychological health and well-being. More recently, research has begun to consider the role of disclosure reactions and social support on this relationship. The current study looked at the roles of both disclosure reactions and sexuality-specific social support on the relationship between level of disclosure and psychological health and well-being for 379 self-identified LGB adults. Results indicated that level of disclosure was not correlated with measures of psychological health and well-being or sexuality-specific social support. Disclosure reactions were significantly correlated with life satisfaction and sexuality-specific social support mediated this relationship. Exploratory analyses indicated that participants tended to first disclose their sexual orientation in early adulthood and reported predominantly positive disclosure reactions with no change in relationship closeness post-disclosure. Chi-square tests also indicated a significant relationship between disclosure relationship (person to whom the disclosure was made) and disclosure reactions and age at disclosure. Findings may indicate the larger role of the development of a synthesized gay identity on psychological health of LGB individuals.
Details
- Title
- DISCLOSURE, SEXUALITY-SPECIFIC SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND LGB PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Identifiers
- 99380090844006600
- Academic Unit
- Psychology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida