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Homoerotic development during childhood and adolescence
Abstract
To adequately understand the diversity of child and adolescent homoeroticism, a differential developmental trajectories perspective is proposed that integrates recent research about the development of sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity. Only the latter two can be altered therapeutically. Biologic theories of homosexuality are reviewed. Homoerotic youth are shown to be similar and dissimilar to heterosexual youth; more variability occurs within than among sexual orientation groups. Contemporary homoerotic youth recognize their sexuality, self-label, and accept their sexuality at earlier ages than previous generations and many are rejecting traditional identity labels. Clinical recommendations offer ways to assess sexual orientation and help patients to achieve acceptance of their sexuality.
... Similarly, to take full advantage of the Thesaurus Terms (Descriptors) database, a subsequent search was conducted of articles in the PsycINFO articles through May 14, 2010 using Thesaurus Terms (Descriptors) "sexual orientation," "homosexuality," "male homosexuality," "female homosexuality," "lesbianism," "bisexuality," "transgender," "transsexualism," "gender identity disorder," and "homosexuality (attitudes toward)" and limiting articles to those written in English and related to human subjects of childhood age (0 -12) and adolescent age (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). This search produced 1,751 references. ...
... Throughout the search, the bibliographies of source materials including books, 8-10 book chapters, 11 and review articles. [12][13][14] were consulted for additional references that were not produced by the online searches. Bibliographies of publications by the following experts were also examined to find additional pertinent articles not From the list of references assembled in this way, references were selected whose primary focus was mental health related to sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance in children and adolescents. ...
... 9 They must cope with feeling different, ostracism, and dilemmas about revealing a sexual identity that is discrepant from family and social expectations ("coming out"). 13 These adolescents are at somewhat elevated risk for having suicidal thoughts [52][53][54] ; however, only a minority actually do, indicating a capacity for resilient coping in most. ...
Children and adolescents who are growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual, gender nonconforming, or gender discordant experience unique developmental challenges. They are at risk for certain mental health problems, many of which are significantly correlated with stigma and prejudice. Mental health professionals have an important role to play in fostering healthy development in this population. Influences on sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance, and their developmental relationships to each other, are reviewed. Practice principles and related issues of cultural competence, research needs, and ethics are discussed.
... Adolescence is a time characterized by a greater reliance on peers, the onset of romantic relationships, and a strengthening sense of sexuality (Nickerson and Nagle, 2005;Brown and Bakken, 2011;Tolman and McClelland, 2011;Connolly et al., 2014). Adolescence is also a period when sexual identity begins to develop; though, experiences and processes of sexual identity development often differ among adolescents (Perrin, 2002;Savin-Williams and Cohen, 2004). For example, some adolescents may have a consistent sexual identity over time, whereas others may report shift in their sexual identity, referred as sexual identity fluidity (Ott et al., 2011;Katz-Wise and Hyde, 2015;Diamond et al., 2017). ...
... Current research and practice with sexual minority adolescents has suggested role of enabling environment in healthy identity development among sexual minority adolescents (Perrin, 2002;Savin-Williams and Cohen, 2004;Legate et al., 2019). Studies suggest that adolescents with unsupportive or homophobic familial environment, delay their coming out processes or even try to meet the heterosexual expectations of their predominately heterosexual families (Waldner and Magrader, 1999;Cox et al., 2010;Legate et al., 2019). ...
Introduction
Sexual identity is mutable and evolving, particularly during adolescence. Sexual identity fluidity could be stressful for some adolescents and may differ by birth-sex. Evidence suggests chronic stress can lead to negative mental health outcomes. However, it is unknown if these two processes (stress and depression) differ by sexual identity fluidity.
Methods
This paper studied time-sequential associations between identity management stress and depression over time by sexual identity fluidity, in a national longitudinal data from sexual minority adolescents (SMA) aged 14–17 years using a multigroup autoregressive cross-lagged model (n = 1077).
Results
In the sample, 40% of SMA reported at least one change in sexual identity over 18-month period. Greater number of cisgender females reported sexual identity fluidity compared to their male counterparts (46.9% vs. 26.6%). A temporal cross-lagged effect was reported between depression and identity management stress among cisgender females who reported fluidity in sexual identity; and no cross-lagged effect was reported among those females who did not report fluidity. However, among cisgender male sample depression predicted subsequent identity management stress, irrespective of their change sexual identity fluidity status.
Conclusion
Public health programs and practice must be responsive to the sexual identity fluidity processes among adolescents, with particular attention to minority stress and depression. In addition, our results indicate that sexual identity development and fluidity processes differ between cisgender females and males; and the nuances associated with these processes of change need further investigation.
... A consistent theme from previous work on sexual fluidity is that women are more sexually fluid than men (Diamond, 2008;Dickson, Paul, & Herbison, 2003;Ott, Corliss, Wypij, Rosario, & Austin, 2011). Suggested theoretical models for the hypothesized greater sexual fluidity in women than men span from biologically based sex differences to factors such as constraining selfconcept and expression (Baumeister, 2000;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). Both retrospective and prospective studies have been conducted, and sexual minority women and bisexual men appear to report the most change in sexual identity, followed by gay men, with heterosexual men and women reporting the least Kinnish, Strassberg, & Turner, 2005;Manley, Diamond, & Van Anders, 2015;Mock & Eibach, 2012;M Rosario et al., 2006). ...
... Instead, they may motivate individuals to exercise, whereby exercise acts as a type of coping mechanism (Frederick & Ryan, 1993). Alternatively, as women are more likely than men to change their sexual identity Dickson et al., 2003;Ott et al., 2011) and are argued to be more comfortable with their self-concept and related expression (Baumeister, 2000;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004), a change in sexual identity may be considered "liberating" as opposed to stressful, thereby encouraging women to engage in positive health behaviors. Further, it may result in gaining community, social status, and social or emotional resources, as opposed to losing them. ...
Analyzing reported changes in sexual identity over time is necessary for understanding young adult health risks. Utilizing waves 3 and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this paper studies the relationships between sexual identity changes and BMI, obesity, and physical activity among young adults in the U.S (N=11,349). The results show that men who report a change toward a more homosexual identity have a significantly lower BMI and participate in more physical activity, while men who report a change toward a more heterosexual identity participate in less physical activity and have a higher BMI compared to those who did not report a change. For women, a change toward a more homosexual identity is significantly associated with more physical activity and lower odds of being obese compared to no change. The results suggest that specific sexual identity changes may also be linked to improvements in health.
... Various authors agree that sexual orientation determines the erotic interests of an individual towards people of the opposite sex, of the same sex or of both sexes ( Gonz alez et al. 2004). Sexual orientation is intimately related to sexual identity ( Vargas Barrantes 2013), where the attraction towards a certain type of person is expressed emotionally, romantically, sexually and affectively ( Savin-Williams & Cohen 2004). Sexual feelings, attraction and behaviour are elements that characterize the interaction of individuals in social contexts ( Savin-Williams & Cohen 2004). ...
... Sexual orientation is intimately related to sexual identity ( Vargas Barrantes 2013), where the attraction towards a certain type of person is expressed emotionally, romantically, sexually and affectively ( Savin-Williams & Cohen 2004). Sexual feelings, attraction and behaviour are elements that characterize the interaction of individuals in social contexts ( Savin-Williams & Cohen 2004). This is the result of the relation between biological, psychological, social ( Almonte 2006), historical and cultural ( Zucker 2001) dimensions of sexuality. ...
Aims:
To determine whether there was a direct relation between sexual orientation and sexual practices involving penetration; to analyse whether condom use in the first sexual relation was conditioned by sexual orientation; to verify whether consistent condom use in sexual relations was determined by sexual orientation.
Background:
Recent research suggests that sexual orientation (i.e. heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality) is a determining factor in high-risk sexual behaviour.
Design:
A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling.
Methods:
Data were collected between March 2013 - April 2014 from 900 participants (524 males and 376 females). All participants were 15-29 years of age. Their mean age was 20.93 years. The participants were given a socio-demographic survey as well as a psychometric test on high-risk sexual behaviour, which had been used in previous studies.
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences in relation to sexual orientation and sexual practices involving penetration either in the general model for both sexes or in the models for men and women. It was also found that sexual orientation did not significantly affect condom use in the first sexual relation. Furthermore, consistent condom use had a protector effect in the general model for homosexuals and bisexuals. In the model for men, this was also true for homosexuals and in the model for women, this was the case for bisexuals.
Conclusion:
Condom use in the first sexual relation was similar in all sexual orientations. However, the sexual orientation of the subject was found to be a determining factor in consistent condom use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... Several leading theorists in the field of sexuality studies have argued that sexual orientation in females, compared to that in males, is more likely to change over time (Baumeister, 2000;Diamond, 2007;Peplau, 2001). Theoretical models proposed for the hypothesized greater sexual orientation fluidity in females than males ranges from biologically based sex differences in fetal hormone exposure to sociopolitical forces that constrain sexual selfconcept, expression, and opportunities differently in women and men (Baumeister, 2000;Diamond, 2007;Peplau, Spalding, Conley, & Veniegas, 1999;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). The theorized mechanisms driving fluidity may be expected to differentially affect each dimension of sexual orientation. ...
... The theorized mechanisms driving fluidity may be expected to differentially affect each dimension of sexual orientation. For instance, sociopolitical forces that exist in many contexts and historical periods limiting women's ability to achieve economic independence from men and heterosexual marriage may be expected to affect the stability versus fluidity of highly socially mediated dimensions of identity and sex of sexual partners, while hypothesized biological effects of fetal hormone exposure may be expected to affect the stability versus fluidity of sexual attraction to the same or other sex (Peplau et al., 1999;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). Empirical studies with longitudinal data across the life course and across the different dimensions of sexual orientation are scarce (Kinnish et al., 2005). ...
This study investigated stability and change in self-reported sexual orientation identity over time in youth. We describe gender- and age-related changes in sexual orientation identity from early adolescence through emerging adulthood in 13,840 youth ages 12-25 employing mobility measure M, a measure we modified from its original application for econometrics. Using prospective data from a large, ongoing cohort of U.S. adolescents, we examined mobility in sexual orientation identity in youth with up to four waves of data. Ten percent of males and 20% of females at some point described themselves as a sexual minority, while 2% of both males and females reported ever being "unsure" of their orientation. Two novel findings emerged regarding gender and mobility: (1) Although mobility scores were quite low for the full cohort, females reported significantly higher mobility than did males. (2) As expected, for sexual minorities, mobility scores were appreciably higher than for the full cohort; however, the gender difference appeared to be eliminated, indicating that changing reported sexual orientation identity throughout adolescence occurred at a similar rate in female and male sexual minorities. In addition, we found that, of those who described themselves as "unsure" of their orientation identity at any point, 66% identified as completely heterosexual at other reports and never went on to describe themselves as a sexual minority. Age was positively associated with endorsing a sexual-minority orientation identity. We discuss substantive and methodological implications of our findings for understanding development of sexual orientation identity in young people.
... Thus, only 29.9% of the surveyed subjects gave the correct answer (False) to the statement that a child who exhibits homosexual behavior will become a homosexual person in adulthood. The assumption is false because, in childhood, homosexual experiences may be occasional and reflect either curiosity and/or the need for personal security and affection, or the dynamic process by which a child seeks and explores his/her own identity, including sexuality (Heilborn & Cabral, 2006;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004;Taquette & Oliveira-Rodrigues, 2015). In addition, throughout life, sexual orientation can change through various experiences (Diamond, 2008;Ott et al., 2011). ...
Studies have shown that the level of knowledge that the general population or certain social and professional groups have of homosexuality can predict prejudice based on sexual orientation and homophobic attitudes. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate Romanian university students’ knowledge of homosexuality. A survey was conducted among 535 subjects enrolled in Bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as pre-service teacher training program. The mean age of participants was 24.82 years (range 18-52; SD = 8.08). The sample included 432 females and 103 males. Participants completed a 15 item questionnaire based on C. A. Koch’s modified version of The Knowledge About Homosexuality Questionnaire developed by M. B. Harris, J. Nightengale, and N. Owen. For the total sample, the mean number of correct answers was 5.48 (range 0-13; SD = 2.72) out of 15 items (i.e., 36.5%). This result indicates a relatively modest level of knowledge about homosexuality in the targeted population. Significant differences were observed depending on the study program, orientation on the axis of conservatism vs. liberalism, casual social contact, and friendship with a lesbian/gay person. A replication of the survey on a more representative sample of university students in terms of gender, age, and scientific majors is needed. However, our investigation indicates the need for university students to be knowledgeable about psychological, social, and legal issues affecting lesbian and gay people, to better address and evaluate their opinions and personal feelings surrounding the topic of homosexuality.
... Several youth suggested that they had come out more than once. In keeping with the understanding that the coming-out process is fluid and often occurs across a continuum (Diamond & Butterworth, 2008;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004), many of the youth shared the fact that they do not like to put labels on their sexual and gender identities, as they continue to explore their gender and sexuality. For example, one youth who identified as pansexual shared the following, "I hate labels … I am very open minded, so that allows for room for exploration of my gender identity" (S, pansexual, queer). ...
This study uses qualitative interviews to explore the perceptions
of sexual and gender minoritized youth on the impact
of a sexual and gender minoritized–specific community-based
youth program in Ontario, Canada: The Open Doors drop-in
program. Thematic analysis revealed that Open Doors created
feelings of safety, social connectedness, and empowerment,
and also provided youth with tools and resources for building
capacity and exercising resilience. Youth felt that they were
afforded experiences in Open Doors that they did not have
elsewhere. The findings of this research have important implications
for centering youth voices and experiences in sexual
and gender minoritized–specific community-based programs
in both practice and research.
... This differs from 'sexual orientation' which is related to physiological predisposition toward patterns of sexual and romantic thoughts, behaviors, and attraction toward member of same-, opposite-, both-, or neither sex) and health patterns among SMA is the recognition that sexual identities are not immutable and thus may change over time, referred to as sexual identity fluidity [10e12]. Sexual identity development is a natural part of adolescent development [13,14]. Some adolescents report consistency in their sexual identity over time, while others report fluidity in sexual identity [10e12]. ...
Purpose:
Sexual minority adolescents (SMAs) consistently report elevated risk of mental health symptoms, including depression. Sexual identities may change over time (referred as sexual identity fluidity), particularly during adolescence. This study examined the effect of sexual identity fluidity on depressive symptoms over time.
Methods:
National longitudinal data were analyzed from SMAs aged 14-17 years (N = 1,077) in the adolescent stress experiences over time study during an 18-month period. Multigroup time-varying covariate latent growth models were employed to examine the effect of sexual identity fluidity on depressive symptoms.
Results:
In the sample, 40% of SMAs reported at least 1 change in sexual identity during an 18-month period. Cisgender females reported sexual identity fluidity at a higher rate than their male counterparts (46.9% vs. 26.6%, respectively). In our first model (total sample), a change in sexual identity was associated with reporting fewer depressive symptoms (b = -0.591, p = .004). In our multigroup model (by sex assigned at birth), a change in sexual identity was significantly associated with reporting fewer depressive symptoms among cisgender females (b = -0.591, p < .01). However, there was no significant effect found among cisgender males. The models controlled for age and race or ethnicity.
Discussion:
The results add to the limited knowledge on the complex relationship between sexual identity fluidity and mental health risks over time among adolescents. Our results indicate that sexual identity development and change processes differ between cisgender females and males. The nuances associated with these sexual identity processes need further investigation.
... Recent years have documented a shift in the application of sexual orientation labels among youth, including an increase in reported changes in sexual orientation (Katz-Wise, 2015;Russell et al., 2009). These changes in sexual orientation are more prominent in adolescence and young adulthood, which are considered important periods for sexual orientation development (Perrin, 2002;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). However, experiences and processes of sexual orientation development may differ; some sexual minority youth may identify with a fixed sexual orientation (consistent over time), whereas others may present instability in sexual identification (change over time; Diamond et al., 2017;Katz-Wise & Hyde, 2015;Ott et al., 2011). ...
This article reviews research on changes in self-reported sexual orientation labels and associated health outcomes among adolescents and young adults. Using seven electronic databases and supplementary methods, we identified 30 studies for inclusion in the review, published between 2000 and 2020. This review aimed to summarize the approaches to measuring sexual orientation change; the prevalence, patterns, and directionality of changes in sexual identity; and how changes in sexual orientation relate to health outcomes among adolescents and youth adults. The reviewed studies lacked agreement in operationalization and assessment of sexual orientation changes. Prevalence of change in self-reported sexual orientation differed by birth sex, whereby cisgender female participants were more likely to report a change than male participants. In addition, adolescents and youth identifying with a nonheterosexual orientation or sexual minority at baseline were more likely to report a change in sexual orientation. Few studies reported on the impact of changes in sexual orientation on behavioral health outcomes. Adolescents who reported either nonheterosexual orientation at baseline or a shift toward nonheterosexual orientation had a greater likelihood of reporting depressive symptomology, suicidality, and substance use compared to those who did not report a change or reported consistent heterosexuality. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are discussed.
... They may observe that other homosexual people are not respected, humiliated, and have low social status and official rights. This experience makes it difficult for them to establish gender identity while experiencing a sense of social acceptance [32]. ...
Purpose
To present the clinical course of adolescents who presented to the child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic due to gender dysphoria and homosexuality through a patient series.
Methods
The clinical features, comorbidities, and the treatment process of 10 patients who presented to the outpatient clinic and were followed up over a period were presented.
Results
The average age of the 10 patients, 5 girls and 5 boys, was 14.3 years for the girls and 16 years for the boys. Nine patients were admitted by their families primarily with the desire for the elimination of gender dysphoria or homosexual orientation. Only one female patient was brought by her family because of her intense depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. All of the patients had comorbid psychiatric diseases, nine had depression, and one had bipolar affective disorder comorbidity. The anxiety levels of all patients were high. Psychiatric management in each patient focused on the emotional, cognitive and social difficulties of the case. The treatment of two girls was interrupted suddenly by the family because they saw that the homosexual orientation of the patients was continuing. Two male patients were not brought back for treatment after the evaluation process.
Conclusions
Gender dysphoria and homosexual orientation are situations that families still find it difficult to accept and that they think it can be eliminated by pressure, coercion or psychiatric treatment. Patients show a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity due to family pressure and social exclusion. Although psychiatric support can cure comorbid disorders in a relatively short time, strains of family and social relationships continue to affect patients.
... For sexual minorities (SMs), that is, people who experience same-sex attraction (SSA) independent of sexual behaviors or use of specific identity labels (Diamond, 2007), the sexual identity development literature points to common milestone events in the formation of identity. Common milestones include first experiences and awareness of same-sex sexuality, initial attributions of what same-sex sexuality means in terms of SM status, first experience of sexual behavior, first disclosure of SM status to another, first use of private or public sexual identity labels (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual), and first same-sex romantic relationship (see Katz-Wise et al., 2017;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004;Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000;Yarhouse, 2001). Not all developmental milestones are experienced by all SMs, but many milestones are, and milestones are navigated in the sociocultural context in which SMs are located, including family, peer group, ethnic, cultural and religious communities, educational environment, and so on (Katz-Wise et al., 2017;Yarhouse, 2001). ...
Sexual minorities who also identify as religious face unique challenges while being a part of faith-based college campus communities in which specific behavior proscriptions are present. One hundred and sixty sexual minority students from 15 Christian colleges and universities in which a staff member was affiliated with the Association for Christians in Student Development participated in the online survey. Results suggest that these campus settings are experienced differently by sexual minority students in terms of how they approach the relationship between their religious/spiritual identity and their sexual identity. Perhaps surprisingly, about half of this sample reported no or only mild psychological distress, and only 9.4% reported elevated distress. Intrinsic religiosity, organizational religiosity, and social support from heterosexual friends were found to be predictors of psychological distress in sexual minority students at Christian colleges. Further, the predictive relationships of intrinsic religiosity and general social support to psychological distress was mediated by self-acceptance.
... For sexual minorities (SMs), that is, people who experience same-sex attraction (SSA) independent of sexual behaviors or use of specific identity labels (Diamond, 2007), the sexual identity development literature points to common milestone events in the formation of identity. Common milestones include first experiences and awareness of same-sex sexuality, initial attributions of what same-sex sexuality means in terms of SM status, first experience of sexual behavior, first disclosure of SM status to another, first use of private or public sexual identity labels (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual), and first same-sex romantic relationship (see Katz-Wise et al., 2017;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004;Savin-Williams & Diamond, 2000;Yarhouse, 2001). Not all developmental milestones are experienced by all SMs, but many milestones are, and milestones are navigated in the sociocultural context in which SMs are located, including family, peer group, ethnic, cultural and religious communities, educational environment, and so on (Katz-Wise et al., 2017;Yarhouse, 2001). ...
Drawing upon previous research with sexual minority Christian college students, we identify emergent themes important to ministry with sexual minorities integrating religious/spiritual and sexual identities: intrinsic religiosity, social relationships, self-acceptance, and complexity of identity integration. We propose a Trinitarian ministry model wherein the church serves as a holding environment—a discipling community intentionally designed to be relational, secure, and formational thereby creating a synergistic communal climate for identity development related to faith and sexuality.
... Homophobia and internalized homophobia are crucial factors in developmental models of sexual identity development, but homosexism is unexplored in these schemes (Bilodeau and Renn 2005). These models incorporate sexual behavior only as a generic consideration, where identity may derive from sexual exploration for some, precede it for others, and involve monogamy or multiple partners, all with the common achievement of a non-heterosexual awareness (Dubé 2000;Savin-Williams and Cohen 2004). Erotic variables, erotic conflict, and erotic compromise based on homosexism are not the subject of investigation, an unrecognized deficiency in these paradigms. ...
‘Homosexism’ is an early term originally proposed to more accurately reflect a prejudice, rather than a phobia implied in the term ‘homophobia.’ However, the term ‘homosexism’ never gained traction, but the roots of the word suggest a previously unrecognized prejudice based on sexual behavior, in contrast to a prejudice based on same-gender attraction. In this paper, homosexism, as a prejudice encompassing subtypes of male same-sexual behaviors, is differentiated from homophobia, which is based on sexual orientation. Homosexism can elucidate why cultural portrayals that emphasize anal sex as the central element of sexual behavior among men who have sex with men are not supported by research evidence. Homosexism, and its potentially damaging effects, cannot be redressed until it is identified, named, and managed.
... One theory in motor development proposes that there are three major constraints that interact during the performance of movement (28). These constraints include: individual constraints, task constraints, and environmental constraints (21). ...
Background: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool used by fitness and health professionals to assess the quality of movement patterns in active populations. The literature has established descriptive values for FMS scores in various populations, however, there has not been a study establishing the mean composite FMS score based on the somatotype categories. Establishing these descriptive values may provide a better understanding of how an individual's somatotype affects their ability to move. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish FMS composite scores for the four simplified somatotype categories (normal, endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph). Methods: Participants were healthy adults between the ages of 18-25 years old (M = 29, F = 52, age = 20.48 ± 1.44 yrs; height = 170.46 ± 10.26 cm; weight = 67.22 ± 16.06 kg). Anthropometric measures were taken to determine somatotype category according to the Heath-Carter Somatotype Method. Additionally, each participant completed the FMS evaluation, which consisted of seven functional movement patterns. Movement patterns were scored (by a certified FMS evaluator) using the 3-point scale. Results: Of the 81 participants, somatotypes were identified as follows: 33 mesomorphs, 16 endomorphs, 8 ectomorphs, and 24 as central. There was no significant difference between mean composite FMS scores for each category (endomorph 17.63 ± 1.09, mesomorph 17.64 ± 1.11, ectomorph 17.63 ± 1.06, central 17.58 ± 1.25). Conclusion: In the case of healthy young adults there appears to be very little variance in FMS composite scores between the four simplified somatotype categories.
... There is very limited research that focuses on prepubescent transgender children. Most studies that have explored gender-nonconforming children have relied on adult recollections of childhood experiences and feelings, which may be distorted (Stieglitz, 2010;Carver, Egan, & Perry, 2004;Grossmna & D'Augelli, 2006;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). These studies also tended to include clients who attended gender identity or mental health clinics. ...
The purpose of this article is to highlight the voices and lived experiences of four families and their transgender children (male to female). The methodology consists of a qualitative case study approach and ethnographic research methods over the course of 1 year. With a focus on mezzo and macro-level issues, the results of this article illustrate some of the ways that these families navigate their child’s transition, the social challenges that they experience from a society that adheres to the gender binary, and institutional challenges that this community faces in the realms of education, religion, medicine, and mental health. A discussion follows of the ways in which social workers can promote the health, happiness and the well-being of gender-variant children and their families within the community. We conclude with advocating for re-conceptualizing rigid and binary definitions of gender and challenging institutions that perpetuate oppression against trans children and their families.
... More recently, research has shown that while young adults engaged in developing a LGB identity may experience more psychological distress (Bagley & Tremblay, 2000), certain environmental and societal factors, such as parental support and increased visibility of LGB role models (Savin-Williams, 2005) and access to LGB-affirming media (Bond, Hefner, & Drogos, 2009) allow for healthy development that is similar to that experienced by heterosexual youths (Savin-Williams, 2005). To explain these findings, some researchers (Floyd & Stein, 2002;Savin-Williams, 2005;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004) have proposed that various "trajectories" exist in development and mental distress is partly based on each individual's developmental trajectory. In other words, individuals engaged in some developmental paths are more prone to distress than those engaged in other paths. ...
A sample of 791 college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years were administered a series of measures to determine their sexual identity development status (MoSEIC), global self-esteem (RSES), global psychological distress (OQ-45), sexual-esteem and sexual distress. A 4 X 2 MANOVA (Sexual Identity Development Status X Sexual Orientation) was conducted. As hypothesized, results indicated no significant difference in terms of psychological distress, global self-esteem, sexual-esteem or sexual distress between those who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual and those who identified as heterosexual. As expected, significant differences were observed among participants in relation to sexual identity development status. Specifically, those who were classified as sexual identity achieved scored higher on measures of esteem and lower on measures of distress. Notably, follow up DFA indicated sexual distress emerged as a stable variable in explaining differences in sexual identity development status. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.
... Milestone events include awareness of same-sex attraction, experiences of confusion about same-sex attractions, first same-sex behavior to orgasm, labeling of oneself to others, and so on. Savin-Williams and Cohen (2004) reported great diversity among sexual minorities, but they stated, "Most homoerotic youth recall same-sex attractions, fantasies, and arousal several years-on average-before questioning the meaning of these feelings . . ." (p. ...
... Milestone events include awareness of same-sex attraction, experiences of confusion about same-sex attractions, first same-sex behavior to orgasm, labeling of oneself to others, and so on. Savin-Williams and Cohen (2004) reported great diversity among sexual minorities, but they stated, "Most homoerotic youth recall same-sex attractions, fantasies, and arousal several years-on average-before questioning the meaning of these feelings . . ." (p. ...
This study investigated two areas of interest in the literature on sexual minorities: milestone events in sexual identity development and campus climate for sexual minorities in young adulthood. What is unique is that the information is obtained from Christian sexual minorities attending Christian colleges or universities. A sample of 104 undergraduate sexual minority students at three Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) member institutions completed an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire asked sexual minorities for information on their experiences of campus climate as well as perceptions of campus resources, coping activities, and recommendations for campus, religious institutions, and other sexual minorities. Respondents also completed information on milestone events in sexual identity development. The results of the survey are a descriptive analysis of contextualized "voices" that relate a collective story for these representative institutions.
... It is probable that the number of youth with homosexual tendencies is much greater than those involved with COMUNICAÇÃO SAÚDE EDUCAÇÃO someone from the same sex, or those that embrace gay identity. Women tend to define their sexual orientation in terms of romantic behavior, while men emphasize desire and sexual behavoir 31 . ...
Objetivamos conhecer significados das práticas homoafetivas de adolescentes, tendo em vista contextos de vulnerabilidade que envolvem o exercício da sexualidade numa sociedade homofóbica. Realizamos entrevistas com nove rapazes e quatro moças que procuraram atendimento em saúde e relataram experiência homossexual. Para alguns rapazes, a experiência homossexual ocorreu de forma circunstancial, por curiosidade e experimentação; para outros, esteve associada à prostituição, e, para a maioria, relacionou-se à identidade homossexual autodeclarada. Nas moças, dois significados sobressaíram: a atividade homossexual associada ao amor e como possível reação à violência sexual sofrida antes do início da experiência homossexual. Todos os entrevistados revelaram nunca terem sido perguntados ou orientados acerca de homossexualidade nos serviços de saúde. O estudo evidencia a necessidade de uma política de atenção integral à saúde deste público, cuja sexualidade é diversa do padrão hegemônico da sociedade.
... There is no reason to assume that certain milestones of sexual development, such as genital play in toddlerhood or at what age and how much an adolescent masturbates, differ between heterosexual and non-heterosexual youth. However, certain features of sexual development are unique to homosexual youth, such as the conflict over whether to reveal a homosexual identity to others (Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004) and the differential effect of same-sex as opposed to opposite-sex partner pairings on sexual behavior (Friedman & Downey, 2002). These facts require that statistical norms be validated for normally developing non-heterosexual youth for the instruments listed in Table 1. ...
Recent psychiatric literature has used the term "hypersexuality" to denote pathologically increased sexual behavior in children and adolescents. Various patterns of increased sexuality have been described in youth, including sexuality that is excessive, developmentally precocious, compulsive, aggressive, or otherwise socially inappropriate. Such "hypersexual" behavior in children and adolescents is associated with a variety of factors. Social factors include sexual abuse, physical abuse, life stress, and impaired family relationships. Psychiatric factors include emotional and behavioral problems in general, posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociative symptoms in particular, and possibly bipolar disorder. Despite the importance of increased sexual behavior in youth as a possible sign of these problems, there is currently no uniform definition in psychiatric literature of the term " hypersexuality" applied to children and adolescents. The usefulness of this term depends upon the degree to which it can be defined, measured, and distinguished from non-pathological juvenile sexual behavior. Research instruments are described that may be useful in measuring levels of sexual behavior in children and adolescents. Elements of a definition of juvenile hypersexuality are proposed based upon current knowledge about children and adolescents' sexuality in both normal development and a variety of conditions in which it is increased. Care is warranted in distinguishing between normal and abnormal sexual behavior in youth because of the variety of factors that can affect its measurement. © 2012 The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry.
... More recently, a study of European American and Latino LGB young adults (aged 21-25 years old) found that those who experienced sexual identity-related family rejection during adolescence had increased odds for developing psychological symptoms and engaging in sexual risk behavior in early adulthood (Ryan et al., 2009). In nonsupportive family systems, GBYM may displace their sexual activities to the homes of their sexual partners or into more public arenas, such as parks or public restrooms (Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004). In an attempt to secure financial support, as many as one in four GBYM increases his susceptibility to HIV infection by engaging in sex in exchange for pay or other resources (Garofalo, Herrick, Mustanski, & Donenberg, 2007). ...
Rates of HIV infection in the United States are markedly over-represented among gay/bisexual young men (GBYM), especially those who are African American and Latino. The degree to which minority stress may explain racial disparities in HIV incidence is understudied in GBYM. This qualitative study examined racial/ethnic-minority and sexual-minority stress and their perceived influence on HIV infection in a sample of GBYM living with HIV. Findings indicated that racial/ethnic-minority stress more often emerged during sexual interactions, while sexual-minority stress was often family-based. Our discussion offers recommendations for primary HIV prevention efforts for GBYM.
... Consequently, whereas early research on lesbian-gay-bisexual individuals focused on developing a series of universal ized models to explain their unique experiences-such as stages of "coming out" (Cass, 1984;Troiden, 1979) and subsequent family adjustment (DeVine, 1984)-research has now shifted toward describing and explaining the incredible variability within the sex ual-minority population. This is often articulated as a differential developmental trajectories approach (Diamond & Savin-Williams, 2002;Dube, Savin-Williams, & Diamond, 2001;Savin-Williams, 2001a;Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004;Savin-Williams & Diamond, 1998), which replaces the conventional emphasis on normative developmental stages with an emphasis on "variability within a single life, across multiple individual lives, and among diverse groups of individuals" (Savin- Williams, 2001a, p. 9). ...
... On the other hand, for same-sex attracted individuals who may not have adopted a gay or lesbian identity, it could be helpful to share with similar individuals that they have experienced attractions (Yarhouse, 2005). Regardless of the developmental trajectory one might take (Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004;Yarhouse, 2001), a group made up of similar participants might reduce shame associated with being part of a sexual minority (APA, 2009;Frable et al., 1998). ...
Theorists, clinicians, and researchers have suggested that shame is a central concern in the lives of sexual minority individuals. Cognitive theorists believe that shame occurs when a person fails to achieve his or her standards, which are often based on social, cultural, and spiritual values. Although it is asserted that stigma causes shame among members of a sexual minority, the empirical evidence suggests that negative internal cognitions are partly responsible. By targeting negative beliefs, counselors can help sexual minorities reduce their sense of shame, particularly around issues related to sexual identity. The authors offer counseling strategies for reducing shame in sexual minority clients.
... People who identify in a way that may not fit into binary (i.e., exclusively male or female) gender categories, or who feel they embody both or neither gender (e.g., genderqueer, bigender, pangender) we refer to as gender nonconforming. Gender minority is conceptually distinct from the term sexual minority, which describes sexual or romantic attractions (Savin-Williams & Cohen, 2004) and refers to people who are not exclusively heterosexual (e.g., lesbian=gay, bisexual, mostly heterosexual, or queer; or who experience same-gender attraction or engage in same-sex behavior, regardless of how they identify). In contrast, gender minority people can be attracted to people of any gender and have diverse sexual orientation identities (IOM, 2011). ...
Bullying and substance use represent serious public health issues facing adolescents in the United States. Few large-sample national studies have examined differences in these indicators by gender identity. The Teen Health and Technology Study (N = 5,542) sampled adolescents ages 13 to 18 years old online. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models investigated disparities in substance use and tested a gender minority social stress hypothesis, comparing gender minority youth (i.e., who are transgender/gender nonconforming and have a gender different from their sex assigned at birth) and cisgender (i.e., whose gender identity or expression matches theirs assigned at birth). Overall, 11.5% of youth self-identified as gender minority. Gender minority youth had increased odds of past-12-month alcohol use, marijuana use, and nonmarijuana illicit drug use. Gender minority youth disproportionately experienced bullying and harassment in the past 12 months, and this victimization was associated with increased odds of all substance use indicators. Bullying mediated the elevated odds of substance use for gender minority youth compared to cisgender adolescents. Findings support the use of gender minority stress perspectives in designing early interventions aimed at addressing the negative health sequelae of bullying and harassment.
... These subscales were ''bed mobility'' and ''functional mobility.'' This finding is supported by Newell's Constraint's Model (1984) [21] that proposes that movement is based on three factors: the individual, the task, and the environment. The individual characteristics are based on the individual's thoughts, feelings, and their physiological response (technical and tactical skills). ...
To investigate the unidimensionality of the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) in an older acute medical population.
EMS data were collected within 48 hours of hospital admission and discharge, respectively, from consecutive older acute medical patients. Rasch and factor analysis of EMS data were conducted.
Acute tertiary hospital, South Australia.
Factor analysis identified a two-factor solution for both admission and discharge EMS data. At hospital admission (n=120), EMS data fitted the Rasch model (χ(2)=18.31, P=0.19, df=14). One item, the timed walk test, had a high positive fit residual (+3.93). At hospital discharge (n=105), EMS data did not fit the Rasch model (χ(2)=25.66, P=0.03, df=14). Item and person scores were not well matched because of a ceiling effect in discharge EMS scores. The functional reach item showed some misfit to the Rasch model and the gait item had a disordered threshold. After rescoring this disordered threshold, discharge EMS data fitted the Rasch model.
Conflicting results were identified using a classical test theory and item response theory approach. Although the EMS fitted the Rasch model, an unacceptable ceiling effect at hospital discharge limits the validity of the EMS for measuring and monitoring the mobility of older acute medical patients in the hospital setting.
Assessing adolescent sexual identity is complicated, and contemporary sexual identities are gaining greater complexity and variation. However, current measures do not capture the diversity of contemporary identities among adolescents. Thus, our study utilized a large national data set of sexual minority adolescents aged 14–17 years (N = 2,558) in the United States to propose a taxonomy of sexual identities among adolescents. Participants responded to a close-ended sexual identity question, followed by an open-ended qualitative question. Using the steps outlined in content analysis procedures, two researchers independently coded the open-ended responses, which were then discussed to establish consensus. Coding of open-ended responses to the sexual identity question resulted in eight categories, with more than 25% of adolescents identifying with less common sexual identity labels. We further tested differences in sexual identity among responses to the close-ended question, sociodemographic characteristics, and mental health outcomes using chi-square and analysis of variance tests. We found overall differences in sexual identification by close-ended responses, age, and assigned sex at birth. However, we did not find any difference in sexual identity by race and ethnicity or urbanicity. We also found differences in sexual identity by mental health symptoms and suicidal outcomes, especially among respondents who identified with less common sexual identity labels. Findings from our study provide cutting-edge information on sexual identities that better captures the current state of adolescent sexual identity classification in the United States. Future research should employ this taxonomy of eight sexual identity categories to collect data that reflect contemporary evidence.
This chapter will examine the experiences of LGBTQ youth—describing issues related to identity development, systemic oppression, and discrimination. Because most scholarship on LGBTQ youth writes about their experiences through adult and non-LGBTQ lenses, this chapter utilizes the What’s Your Issue (WYI) project—a national participatory action research project, which was led by (and directly involved) thousands queer and trans youth from across the United States. By highlighting youth perspectives—in their own voices and narratives—we provide insights for the many ways that queer and trans youth (especially queer and trans youth of color) have learned to develop strengths and resilience to navigate a world which devalues dehumanizes, and pathologizes them. The chapter ends with personal reflections from the second author—who as an alternative to a case study—describes three themes: (a) embracing complexity and demanding recognition, (b) navigating structural dispossession and precarity, and (c) engaging activism and community.
Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are more likely to experience bullying and violence compared to the youth who do not identify as SGMY, leading to increased risk of poor mental and physical health outcomes, and poor academic performance. Few studies explore the entire range of bullying experienced by sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). The purpose of this study was to qualitatively describe the ways in which SGMY experience bullying victimization. We conducted semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of 20 SGMY aged 14–18 years (median age 16 years) recruited from online social media. The sample included 10 participants who identified as cisgender girls, 4 who identified as cisgender boys, 2 who identified as transgender, and 4 who identified as another gender identity. Ten participants identified as bisexual, six identified as lesbian, and four identified as gay. Findings indicated six common experiences of bullying among the participants: (a) verbal harassment; (b) gender policing; (c) physical violence; (d) sexual harassment; (e) treated as sexual perpetrators and deviants; and (f) and social exclusion. SGMY described how bullying victimization ranged from overt to concealed attitudes and behaviors, and they articulated how several forms of bullying are likely not experienced by heterosexual and cisgender youth. These results support findings from prior qualitative studies and suggest that efforts to address school-based bullying may benefit from a more complete awareness of the range of bullying victimization experienced by SGMY. Development of multi-item scales of bullying that reflect the six common experiences of bullying presented in this study would allow researchers to quantitatively explore the range of bullying behaviors experienced by SGMY, and would aid in the conceptualization and successful implementation of anti-bullying interventions.
The term homosexual refers to private behavior, the term gay to public behavior and association with a subculture. Although the majority of individuals who engage in homosexually oriented activities are probably closeted and unrecognized, others are open about their sexual preferences and desires. They may or may not be identified by mannerisms and activities. Observable traits can be effeminate ones by males or masculine ones by females. These may be natural expressions of the self or part of highly formalized codes that signal group identity. It is unknown what proportion of such persons can be so identified unless they want to be.
Visions of gender are broader and more comprehensive than they were a few years ago. This open vision of gender advocates not having a dichotomous view of what it is to be “male” or “female” and accept that there are people who feel do not identified with the sex assigned to them at birth. These people are transgender people. The first part of the chapter will describe the basic concepts to understand what a transgender person is, what gender identity is, and sexual orientation. In addition, there will be a review of the gender stereotypes that are associated with transgender people. In the last part of the chapter, there will be an analysis of the main topics on the health of transgender people, which have been addressed in the bibliography. These themes are mental health, physical health, body image, impact of discrimination, social support, and resilience.
Zwischen 1937 und 1943 beschrieben zahlreiche Personen, die beruflich mit Kindeserziehung und -fürsorge zu tun hatten, sowohl in den Vereinigten Staaten als auch in Europa ein beunruhigendes Phänomen:
Kinder, deren Gefühle und Sorgen sich ausschließlich um sich selbst zu drehen schienen. Einige dieser Kinder waren zurückgezogen und isoliert; andere waren überaktiv, ablenkbar und misshandelten andere Kinder. Schon als Jugendliche war ihre Lebensgeschichte häufig von wiederholten Diebstählen, Gewalt und sexuellen Vergehen gekennzeichnet. Viele dieser Kinder waren in Einrichtungen groß geworden, in denen sie angemessene physische Betreuung, aber kaum soziale Kontakte hatten. Andere waren im Säuglingsalter und in früher Kindheit von Pflegeheim
zu Pflegeheim gereicht worden (Bowlby 1953).
The purpose of this study is explore and describe the expression of the sexual orientation in 232 chilean adolescent (16 to 18 years old), resident of Santiago City and they were studying in highschool of middle socioeconomic level, these high-school are sex differentiated. Student responded a self-administrate Sexual Orientation Questionnaire created by Drs. Almonte - Herskovic. In this study were chosen variables associated to sexual orientation by many authors, these were: sexual identification, sexual attraction, sexual fantasies, feeling and romantics emotions and sexual behavior. The results indicated that 96,96% of males and 90,91% of females opted by heterosexual self identification, heterosexual was a mostly important tendency in all variables in both groups. Although, men and women were statically heterogeneous in the way that they expressed their sexual orientation, women presented more different options than men. Females responded non-heterosexuals options with major frequency than males. This paper postulated that could exist sexual dimorphism in the way that they express their sexual orientation and this dimorphism must be considerate in educative and clinical practice.
This chapter provides a review of the data regarding the prevalence and correlates of violent victimization among gay and bisexual men in the United States. It specifically focuses on the well-recognized problem of anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and the much less studied and discussed problem of intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples. It shows that gay and bisexual men are at increased risk for violent victimization due to their sexual orientation and of intimate partner violence, compared to heterosexual men. The strengths and limitations of the available data are considered and future directions for research are suggested. The chapter also describes governmental and community-based efforts that have been taken to reduce anti-gay violence (hate crimes) and intimate partner violence in male same-sex couples.
For same sex attracted youth (SSAY), use of the Internet appears to afford a unique combination of opportunity, risk, and benefit. The present study uses narrative methods to analyze the experiences of four diverse SSAY (ages 18 to 20). These youth were selected from a larger sample of youth (N=32) in order to highlight the range of variation in (a) frequency of Internet use (extensive, incidental) and (b) impact of Internet use (pivotal, missed opportunity) during the identity development process. By presenting narratives individually, we are able to depict how these variations in frequency and impact of Internet use interact with the content, tone, and overall form of these youths’ identity development narratives. These narratives highlight both individual and contextual factors (e.g., family relationships, peer norms) that appear to relate to the SSAY’s Internet use during the process of identity development. These are individual and contextual factors are explored, along with the characteristics of the Internet (e.g., increased anonymity) that also appear to relate to its impact.
Resilience among lesbian and gay (LG) Christians has received limited attention. We present results from a qualitative study of 27 LG Christians, for whom religion had high salience. The study explored the process of integrating sexual orientation with spirituality. Moving from recognition of incongruence between faith and sexual orientation to integration was found to be a resilience-building process. Through descriptive and process approaches, we identified three primary pathways individuals used to integrate their faith and sexual orientation: transforming theological meaning; finding a safe-enough congregation; and finding an affirming congregation. Some worked for social justice within congregations as part of the resilience-building process. We discuss important decision points for LG Christians that included critical evaluation of extant and potential support systems, redefining scripture and tradition, and transforming communities. A model for LG Christian Spiritual Resilience is presented.
This chapter reviews current research on the role of the family in fostering (or hindering) psychosocial development among sexual-minority adolescents and young adults. It seeks to understand the dynamic, changing interplay between youths and their family members as they all undergo different adaptational challenges as part of the youths' identity development and psychosocial adjustment, and how family-level variables interact with individual-level variables to shape the entire family's trajectory of growth and development.
Research has recently begun to examine heterosexual identity development, providing preliminary evidence of variation within a sexual identity category that has frequently been conceptualized as uniform and unremarkable. The current study sought to classify and describe young adult participants’ narratives on their heterosexual identity development using Worthington et al. (2002) heterosexual identity status model. Participants included 1,051 heterosexually-identified undergraduates (632 women; 419 men) from two public universities in the western United States who provided written narratives about their sexual identity development. Responses were analyzed for levels of identity exploration and commitment, which were used to create five identity status categories. The majority of participants described identity commitment with passive exploration, with more men in this category than women. A significant subset of participants described identity commitment with active exploration, with more women in this category than men. Smaller numbers of participants described active exploration without commitment, unexplored commitment, and identity diffusion. More women were in the active exploration without commitment status than men; no gender differences emerged in the other two statuses. Participants classified into statuses with active exploration and higher commitment also evidenced higher scores on quantitative measures of sexual identity exploration and commitment, respectively. Men evidenced higher quantitative scores than women on identity commitment; there were no gender differences in the quantitative assessment of identity exploration. Findings support the existence of variations and systematic gender-based differences in young adults’ heterosexual identity development.
The aim of the study was to assess whether social integration and substance use differed between three groups of adolescents that were categorized by a combination of sexual experience and attractions: (a) heterosexual orientation and attraction only, (b) same-sex experiences without same-sex attraction, and (c) same-sex attraction. A school based sample of 5,500 Norwegian 16 to 19 year olds (92% response rate) with good population representativity was analyzed. Same-sex experiences included “necking”/“making out,” petting, intercourse, and oral sex. Compared to heterosexual young people, young people reporting same-sex sexual experiences only were more socially integrated into their peer group and consumed more alcohol. Young people reporting same-sex attraction reported poorer social integration into peer networks and good social support, but a stronger sense of loneliness. Use of illegal drugs other than marijuana was more than three times as prevalent compared to that of heterosexual youths, and the gender differences in substance use were small or the opposite of what was expected.
El propósito de este estudio es explorar y describir la expresión de la orientación sexual en 232 adolescentes chilenos (16 a 18 años), residentes en la ciudad de Santiago de Chile, que estén estudiando en la enseñanza media en liceos diferenciados por sexo y, sean de nivel socioeconómico medio. Los estudiantes respondieron un cuestionario de Orientación Sexual creado por los Drs. Almonte y Herskovic. En este estudio fueron escogidas las variables relacionadas con la orientación sexual por diversos autores, estas son: identificación sexual, atracción sexual, fantasías sexuales, emociones y sentimientos románticos y conductas sexuales. Los resultados indican que el 96,96% de los hombres y el 90,91% de las mujeres escogieron la identificación sexual heterosexual, siendo ésta la tendencia dominante para todas las variables. Sin embargo, hombres y mujeres dieron cuenta de ser estadísticamente heterogéneos en el modo de expresar su orientación sexual, siendo las mujeres las que presentaron mayor variabilidad en las tendencias. Las mujeres optaron por las respuestas no-heterosexuales con mayor frecuencia que los varones. Esta investigación postula que existiría dimorfismo sexual en la expresión de la orientación sexual y, que este dimorfismo debe ser considerado en las prácticas educativas y clínicas.
Sexual disorders are a relatively invisible, highly prevalent set of problems created by combinations of personality development, individual psychology, interpersonal psychology, biology, and culture. They can seriously interfere with courtship, pleasure in living, reproduction, and loving. Despite their low research priority for psychiatry, they impinge upon clinical practice in numerous ways. This chapter provides an introductory overview of two major categories of disorders: the sexual dysfunctions, which include problems with sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain during intimate contact, and sexual identity problems, which encompass anomalies of gender identity and the paraphilias.
Basic conceptsMovement Patterns and SkillsDynamical Systems PerspectiveCognitive Psychology PerspectiveDevelopment of Basic Movement PatternsMotor PerformanceTrainability of Motor SkillsImplications for Youth SportsFuture DirectionsReferences
Although youthful homoeroticism has been documented by artisans, poets, and historians for thousands of years, it was not
until the early 1970s that American scientists—primarily medical researchers and mental health professionals—began systematically
studying a newly recognized clinical group they classified as “gay youth.” Casting doubt on earlier interpretations that adolescent
same-sex encounters were experimental events that were temporary derailments from inevitable heterosexuality, they acknowledged
that these youth comprised a unique grouping with their own exceptional experiences, needs, and risks. Not surprisingly, early
sources of information about gay youth were comprised mostly of the adolescents who investigators could unquestionably identify
and entice to participate in gay research: male prostitutes, runaways, and delinquents. Their early findings consequently
highlighted the lives of specific adolescents who were, by definition, in physical, psychological, and social peril.
This chapter summarizes advances in current theoretical and empirical literature on sexual identity development. It proposes
a model of sexual identity that offers a more global (i.e., non-sexual identity group specific) perspective in comparison
to existing sexual identity group-specific sexual identity models. Attention to commonalities in sexual identity development
across sexual identity subgroups can offer a more global perspective that captures shared experiences of sexual identity development
as well as differences between subgroups. The proposed unifying model of sexual identity development incorporates what has
been learned from years of theory and research concerning sexuality, LGB and heterosexual identity development, attitudes
toward sexual minority individuals, and the meaning of ordinate and subordinate group membership. The model describes the
intersection of various contextual factors that influence the individual and social processes underlying sexual identity development.
The unifying model is innovative in its applicability across sexual orientation identities, as well as its inclusion of a
wide range of dimensions of sexual identity and possible developmental trajectories. The chapter concludes with a discussion
of preliminary research findings that inform the unifying model and that have implications for future research. We hope this
model allows researchers, educators, and practitioners to develop interventions and conduct investigations on broader questions
about human sexuality without being constrained to gay–straight dichotomies of sexual orientation and the related methodological
limitations that have characterized sexual identity theory and research in the past.
The self-reports of individuals who claim that they have changed their sexual orientation are either dismissed as false or relied upon to promote sexual orientation change efforts. However, these reactions do not capture the complexity of the sexual reorientation phenomenon. This article provides an overview regarding the promise and effort of sexual reorientation and how this knowledge may inform our current understanding of human sexuality. Specifically, a brief history is given of the interventions used to change attractions to same-sex adults and the assumptions underlying these efforts. Information will be given regarding which conclusions can be derived from sexual reorientation studies. The limitations of these studies will be explained to strengthen future research. Hypotheses will be presented regarding the motivations and needs of those distressed by a same-sex erotic orientation and the impact that the hope of sexual reorientation may have for family members, religious leaders, and policy makers. A multivariate model of sexuality and sexual orientation, including scales of attraction and aversion, will be proposed based upon current understanding of sexuality and the distinctions found in sexual reorientation research. In the end, a therapeutic framework will be highlighted that may be used (and researched) to help those distressed by their sexual orientation.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is preparing a publication, Practice Parameter on Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual Sexual Orientation, Gender-Nonconformity, and Gender Discordance in Children and Adolescents. This article discusses the development of the part of the parameter related to gender nonconformity and gender discordance and describes the practice parameter preparation process,rationale, key scientific evidence, and methodology. Also discussed are terminology considerations, related clinical issues and practice skills, and overall organization of information including influences on gender development, gender role behavior, gender nonconformity and gender discordance, and their relationship to the development of sexual orientation.
La orientación sexual ha sido un tema escasamente estudiado en el mundo y también, en Chile, aun cuando la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), enfatiza la necesidad de comprender este fenómeno para brindar una mejor atención en Salud Sexual y Reproductiva para adolescentes en todos sus ámbitos (médico, psicológico y social) a los adolescentes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo general conocer las características psicológicas y las manifestaciones conductuales en la definición de la orientación sexual de jóvenes de Santiago de Chile de ambos sexos desde una perspectiva del desarrollo y, analizar y discutir las implicancias de los resultados obtenidos en la práctica clínica. Correspondió a un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo, transversal y cuantitativo. La técnica de recolección de datos utilizada fue el Cuestionario de Orientación Sexual de Almonte y Herskovic y fue aplicado a 121 adolescentes mujeres y 132 adolescentes varones (253 adolescentes en total), de liceos municipalizados diferenciados por sexo de las comunas de Santiago y Providencia de la Región Metropolitana. Dentro de los resultados hallados se destaca que el 94% de los jóvenes se definió como heterosexual (90,91% de mujeres y 96,97% de hombres). Las adolescentes manifestaron practicar menos conductas sexuales que los hombres de mismo rango etáreo, pero las mujeres se identificaron en un porcentaje mayor con las opciones de bisexualidad y homosexualidad que los varones, dando cuenta de dimorfismo sexual. Si bien, ambos grupos tendieron a la heterosexualidad, dentro del análisis intrasexo de las variables se pudo apreciar una mayor homogeneidad de respuestas en los varones. En la discusión se presentan posibles hipótesis para los hallazgos encontrados y, cómo éstos pueden influenciar la práctica clínica. Las conclusiones apuntan a los logros propuestos en los objetivos específicos y cómo éstos se habrían cumplido.
Este estudio tiene por objeto determinar la relación que existe entre los patrones de apego de madres adolescentes con sus figuras primarias y la presencia o ausencia de riesgo relacional con sus bebés recién nacidos, en el marco de la teoría de la persistencia transgeneracional del apego. Se considera de manera específica variables psicosociales, cuya incidencia puede ser favorable o desfavorable en la constitución del tipo de apego. Se utiliza un diseño de carácter no experimental, transversal, descriptivo y correlacional, aplicado a 30 díadas (madre y bebé), rango de edad entre los 16 y 18 años. Los instrumentos utilizados son el PBI (Parental Bonding Instrument); la pauta de evaluación relacional madre-recién nacido y la entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados encontrados son: la muestra presenta mayor porcentaje de historias de apego inseguro que en la población general. Este dato no tuvo una relación estadísticamente significativa con el riesgo relacional en las díadas, pero se encontró un alto porcentaje riesgo relacional (40%) y una relación estadísticamente significativa entre riesgo y la percepción de apoyo familiar. Ello permite considerar el apoyo familiar como factor protector importante; función que no cumple la pareja, por la presencia de bajo nivel de compromiso y proyección futura.
The current research explores how ethnicity influences sexual identity development. Among 139 sexual-minority male youths, measures of sexual identity development assessed the timing and sequencing of developmental milestones, disclosure of sexual identity to others, internalized homophobia, and same- and opposite-sex relationship histories. Findings demonstrated that participants, regardless of ethnicity, experienced most identity milestones at developmentally appropriate ages, had moderately low levels of internalized homophobia, and became romantically and sexually involved with other males during adolescence. Differences across ethnic groups were found in the timing and sequencing of certain milestones, disclosure of sexual identity to family members, and romantic and sexual involvement with females.
Sexual orientation conversion therapy was the treatment of choice when homosexuality was thought to be an illness. Despite the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness, efforts to sexually reorient lesbians and gay men continue. The construct of sexual orientation is examined, as well as what constitutes its change. The literature in psychotherapeutic and religious conversion therapies is reviewed, showing no evidence indicating that such treatments are effective in their intended purpose. A need for empirical data on the potentially harmful effects of such treatments is established. Ethical considerations relative to the ongoing stigmatizing effects of conversion therapies are presented. The need to develop more complex models for conceptualizing sexual orientation is discussed, as well as the need to provide treatments to gay men and lesbians that are consonant with psychology’s stance on homosexuality.
Although it is typically presumed that heterosexual individuals only fall in love with other-gender partners and gay-lesbian individuals only fall in love with same-gender partners, this is not always so. The author develops a biobehavioral model of love and desire to explain why. The model specifies that (a) the evolved processes underlying sexual desire and affectional bonding are functionally independent; (b) the processes underlying affectional bonding are not intrinsically oriented toward other-gender or same-gender partners; (c) the biobehavioral links between love and desire are bidirectional, particularly among women. These claims are supported by social-psychological, historical, and cross-cultural research on human love and sexuality as well as by evidence regarding the evolved biobehavioral mechanisms underlying mammalian mating and social bonding.
Recent findings suggest that sexual orientation has an early neurodevelopmental basis. Handedness, a behavioral marker of early neurodevelopment, has been associated with sexual orientation in some studies but not in others. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of 20 studies that compared the rates of non-right-handedness in 6.987 homosexual (6,182 men and 805 women) and 16,423 heterosexual (14,808 men and 1,615 women) participants. Homosexual participants had 39% greater odds of being non-right-handed. The corresponding values for homosexual men (20 contrasts) and women (9 contrasts) were 34% and 91%, respectively. The results support the notion that sexual orientation in some men and women has an early neurodevelopmental basis, but the factors responsible for the handedness-sexual orientation association require elucidation. The authors discuss 3 possibilities: cerebral laterality and prenatal exposure to sex hormones, maternal immunological reactions to the fetus, and developmental instability.
Morphometric analysis of the human hypothalamus revealed that the volume of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in homosexual men is 1.7 times as large as that of a reference group of male subjects and contains 2.1 times as many cells. In another hypothalamic nucleus which is located in the immediate vicinity of the SCN, the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN), no such differences in either volume or cell number were found. The SDN data indicate the selectivity of the enlarged SCN in homosexual men, but do not support the hypothesis that homosexual men have a 'female hypothalamus'.
The performance by groups of male and female homosexuals and heterosexuals on three tests of spatial ability was studied. The groups were closely matched in terms of age, education, and vocational interests. Male homosexuals performed more poorly than male heterosexuals on a version of the water jar test and on the Mental Rotation Test, but the groups did not differ on measures of geographical knowledge or verbal ability. Female homosexuals and heterosexuals attained similar scores on all cognitive variables except the water jar test; on this task, the homosexual females performed more poorly than the heterosexual females. The influence of sexual orientation on visuospatial tasks could not be explained on the basis of self-reports of masculinity and femininity, or on the basis of experience with activities thought to foster the development of spatial skills. Such factors, however, acting in concert with biological influences that are not yet known, may have parallel effects on the development of sexual orientation and visuospatial ability.
• Homosexual female probands with monozygotic cotwins, dizygotic cotwins, or adoptive sisters were recruited using homophile publications. Sexual orientation of relatives was assessed either by asking relatives directly, or, when this was impossible, by asking the probands. Of the relatives whose sexual orientation could be confidently rated, 34 (48%) of 71 monozygotic cotwins, six (16%) of 37 dizygotic cotwins, and two (6%) of 35 adoptive sisters were homosexual. Probands also reported 10(14%) nontwin biologic sisters to be homosexual, although those sisters were not contacted to confirm their orientations. Heritabilities were significant using a wide range of assumptions about both the base rate of homosexuality in the population and ascertainment bias. The likelihood that a monozygotic cotwin would also be homosexual was unrelated to measured characteristics of the proband such as self-reported history of childhood gender nonconformity. Concordant monozygotic twins reported similar levels of childhood gender nonconformity.
This article reviewed research examining the association between childhood sex-typed behavior and sexual orientation. Prospective studies suggest that childhood cross-sex-typed behavior is strongly predictive of adult homosexual orientation for men; analogous studies for women have not been performed. Though methodologically more problematic, retrospective studies are useful in determining how many homosexual individuals displayed cross-sex behavior in childhood. The relatively large body of retrospective studies comparing childhood sex-typed behavior in homosexual and heterosexual men and women was reviewed quantitatively. Effect sizes were large for both men and women, with men's significantly larger. Future research should elaborate the causes of the association between childhood sex-typed behavior and sexual orientation and identify correlates of within-orientation differences in childhood sex-typed behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
[reviews] feminist debates about sexual identity, followed by consideration of interview research that bears directly on issues raised in the debates / several underlying questions thread through the debates, including whether it is possible to choose one's sexuality; whether sexuality is "set" at birth or early in development; and whether sexuality can change over the life course / presentation of interview data is followed by consideration of the ways in which these data challenge widely held conceptions regarding the stability of sexual orientation and its congruence with sexual behavior and identity / the interviews will be used to support an alternative perspective that women may experience their sexuality as both chosen and fluid over the course of their lives / concludes with a discussion of the implications of conceptualizing sexuality as potentially fluid
interviews with lesbians / interviews with heterosexual women, interviews with bisexual women (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) refers to a reduction in the startle response to a strong sensory stimulus when this stimulus is preceded by a weaker stimulus--the prepulse. PPI reflects a nonlearned sensorimotor gating mechanism and also shows a robust gender difference, with women exhibiting lower PPI than men. The present study examined the eyeblink startle responses to acoustic stimuli of 59 healthy heterosexual and homosexual men and women. Homosexual women showed significantly masculinized PPI compared with heterosexual women, whereas no difference was observed in PPI between homosexual and heterosexual men. These data provide the first evidence for within-gender differences in basic sensorimotor gating mechanisms and implicate the known neural substrates of PPI in human sexual orientation.
Self-report of sexual orientation and sexual behavior was compared for 12,978 reservation-based American-Indian and 11,356 rural Anglo-American adolescents. Findings included a significantly higher prevalence of homosexual, bisexual, and unsure responses among American Indians. However, a larger non-response rate for American-Indian adolescents raises questions about the cultural relevance of the survey method, and underscores the need for development of more culturally sensitive research tools and methods.
Homosexual male probands with monozygotic cotwins, dizygotic cotwins, or adoptive brothers were recruited using homophile publications. Sexual orientation of relatives was assessed either by asking relatives directly, or when this was impossible, asking the probands. Of the relatives whose sexual orientation could be rated, 52% (29/56) of monozygotic cotwins, 22% (12/54) of dizygotic cotwins, and 11% (6/57) of adoptive brothers were homosexual. Heritabilities were substantial under a wide range of assumptions about the population base rate of homosexuality and ascertainment bias. However, the rate of homosexuality among nontwin biological siblings, as reported by probands, 9.2% (13/142), was significantly lower than would be predicted by a simple genetic hypothesis and other published reports. A proband's self-reported history of childhood gender non-conformity did not predict homosexuality in relatives in any of the three subsamples. Thus, childhood gender nonconformity does not appear to be an indicator of genetic loading for homosexuality. Cotwins from concordant monozygotic pairs were very similar for childhood gender nonconformity.
The anterior hypothalamus of the brain participates in the regulation of male-typical sexual behavior. The volumes of four
cell groups in this region [interstitial nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus (INAH) 1, 2, 3, and 4] were measured in postmortem
tissue from three subject groups: women, men who were presumed to be heterosexual, and homosexual men. No differences were
found between the groups in the volumes of INAH 1, 2, or 4. As has been reported previously, INAH 3 was more than twice as
large in the heterosexual men as in the women. It was also, however, more than twice as large in the heterosexual men as in
the homosexual men. This finding indicates that INAH is dimorphic with sexual orientation, at least in men, and suggests that
sexual orientation has a biological substrate.
This groundbreaking new book weaves personal portraits of lesbian and gay Southerners with interdisciplinary commentary about the impact of culture, race, and gender on the development of sexual identity. Growing Up Gay in the South is an important book that focuses on the distinct features of Southern life. It will enrich your understanding of the unique pressures faced by gay men and lesbians in this region--the pervasiveness of fundamental religious beliefs; the acceptance of racial, gender, and class community boundaries; the importance of family name and family honor; the unbending view of appropriate childhood behaviors; and the intensity of adolescent culture. ou will learn what it is like to grow up gay in the South as these Southern lesbians and gay men candidly share their attitudes and feelings about themselves, their families, their schooling, and their search for a sexual identity. These insightful biographies illustrate the diversity of persons who identify themselves as gay or lesbian and depict the range of prejudice and problems they have encountered as sexual rebels. Not just a simple compilation of "coming out" stories, this landmark volume is a human testament to the process of social questioning in the search for psychological wholeness, examining the personal and social significance of acquiring a lesbian or gay identity within the Southern culture. Growing Up Gay in the South combines intriguing personal biographies with the extensive use of scholarship from lesbian and gay studies, Southern history and literature, and educational thought and practice. These features, together with an extensive bibliography and appendices of data, make this essential reading for educators and other professionals working with gay and lesbian youth. © 1991 by Gay and Lesbian Advocacy Research Project. All rights reserved.
Dermal ridges on the fingertips are formed early in fetal life and remain unchanged throughout the life span. The researchers examined dermatoglyphic characteristics (total ridge count and directional ridge asymmetry) in homosexual and heterosexual men. There was no difference between the 2 groups of men in total ridge count, but more gay men demonstrated leftward asymmetry than did nongay men. Although this effect was not accounted for by differences in hand preference, an association was observed between leftward dermatoglyphic asymmetry and an increased incidence of adextrality in homosexual men, but not in heterosexual men. These findings are consistent with a biological contribution to sexual orientation and indicate that such an influence may occur early in prenatal life.
Previous research suggests that the sexual identities, attractions, and behaviors of sexual-minority (i.e., nonheterosexual) women change over time, yet there have been few longitudinal studies addressing this question, and no longitudinal studies of sexual-minority youths. The results of 2-year follow-up interviews with 80 lesbian, bisexual, and "unlabeled" women who were first interviewed at 16-23 years of age are reported. Half of the participants changed sexual-minority identities more than once, and one third changed identities since the first interview. Changes in sexual attractions were generally small but were larger among bisexuals and unlabeled women. Most women pursued sexual behavior consistent with their attractions, but one fourth of lesbians had sexual contact with men between the two interviews. These findings suggest that there is more fluidity in women's sexual identities and behaviors than in their attractions. This fluidity may stem from the prevalence of nonexclusive attractions among sexual-minority women.
Several lines of evidence have implicated genetic factors in homosexuality. The most compelling observation has been the report
of genetic linkage of male homosexuality to microsatellite markers on the X chromosome. This observation warranted further
study and confirmation. Sharing of alleles at position Xq28 was studied in 52 gay male sibling pairs from Canadian families.
Four markers at Xq28 were analyzed (DXS1113, BGN, Factor 8, and DXS1108). Allele and haplotype sharing for these markers was
not increased over expectation. These results do not support an X-linked gene underlying male homosexuality.
This is a long term follow-up of 55 boys with early effeminate behavior. It was possible to determine the outcome in sexual orientation in 38 of the boys, which included homosexuality or variants of it in 35 (63.6 per cent) of the total of 55 and heterosexuality in three (5.5 per cent). In 10 boys the outcome was uncertain, and seven were lost to follow-up. An analysis of the uncertain cases suggests that the overall outcome in terms of homosexuality may prove to have been higher than 63.6 per cent. These results agree with those of previous prospective and retrospective studies, which are reviewed. From both types of such studies, the prospective ones starting out with instances of early effeminate behavior and the retrospective with cases of established homosexuality, the conclusion is ventured that all male homosexuality begins with early effeminate behavior. This has implications for future research on homosexuality.
The authors compared a small minority of college women who have had at least some homosexual experience with a majority with no homosexual experience at all. The minority with homosexual contact appears to be more heterosexually experienced in a number of ways than is true of the majority without homosexual contact, at least at this stage in their lives. There appears to be two rather different types of women who are homosexually experienced, judging from the information gleaned from this exploratory study. The first could be called sexual 'adventures'. Homosexual experience for them is simply one out of a wide range of available and viable sexual options. A certain proportion of our 16 homosexually-experienced women will discontinue or sharply curtail heterosexual intercourse and will eventually adopt a Lesbian identity, if they have not done so already. We suggest several indicators of this outcome: non-enjoyment of fellatio; the predominance of heterosexual intercourse that was felt to be loveless; homosexual contact as the source of most pleasureable orgasm; mentioning women in sexual fantasies.
We recruited 51 predominantly homosexual and 50 predominantly heterosexual men as index subjects for a family study of sexual orientation. The sexual orientation of siblings (115 sisters and 123 brothers) was ascertained in two ways: via interview with the index subjects and via interview of and/or mailed questionnaire to the siblings themselves. Index subjects' knowledge of the sexual orientation of their siblings was, for the most part, quite accurate. Moreover, heterosexual index men had about as many homosexual brothers as would be predicted given national prevalence figures for homosexuality, but homosexual index men had about four times as many homosexual brothers, although in both cases most brothers were heterosexual. There was no significant difference between the index groups in number of homosexual sisters. We conclude that there is a significant familial component to male homosexuality.
This study examined the role of same‐sex sexual behavior in the identification and coming‐out process among three cohorts of gay and bisexual males. The sequence through which the males identified their same‐sex attractions was coded as either sex‐centered (labeling of sexual identity after first same‐sex sexual encounter) or identity‐centered (labeling of sexual identity before engaging in sex with males). The project tested whether developmental sequence was a significant predictor of later adjustment to sexual identity and relationship involvement. Findings demonstrate that the proportion of sex‐centered males decreased as a function of age cohort. Moreover, sex‐centered males reported higher levels of homophobia toward other males, more lifetime sexual partners, and more heterosexual sexual and romantic relationships. Thus, the route males take to identify and label their sexual identity is a good predictor of future adjustment and relationship involvement.
An examination of cognitive sexual orientation, sexual partner activity, and sexual identity was conducted among 76 lesbian/bisexual female youths and 80 gay/bisexual male youths (age range of 14–21 years) recruited from community‐based or college organizations for lesbian / gay youths in New York City. Self‐identification as lesbian / gay or bisexual changed over time; more than half the youths who identified as lesbian / gay at the interview had considered themselves bisexual in the past, and vice versa. A modal developmental sequence of cognitions and behaviors was found: Most youths first became aware of a cognitive sexual orientation (e.g., attractions and fantasies) toward the same or other sex, then considered a lesbian / gay or bisexual identity, and finally felt certain of a lesbian / gay or bisexual identity. Age at initiation of sexual activity with females or males was inconsistently related to this pattern. Significant gender differences indicated that females were older than males when they first considered (M years of 13.9 and 12.5, respectively) or were certain of (M years of 15.9 and 14.6 years, respectively) being lesbian/gay. The majority of youths had a history of sexual activity with the same sex (88% of females and 95% of males) and the other sex (80% of females and 56% of males). The youths became sexually active during the early adolescent years, both with the same sex and the other sex. Their sexual practices, with the same and other sex, followed an initiation sequence beginning with manual (i.e., hand‐genital) sex during the early teens and ending with anal practices during the middle and late teens. No significant gender differences were found in lifetime prevalence rates or ages at initiating sexual practices with the same sex. Gender differences were found for other‐sex partners: Females became sexually active at an older age than did males, and more females than males engaged in heterosexual activity. No significant differences in the psychosexual variables were found among Black, Hispanic, White, and youths of other ethnic backgrounds.
Of late, researchers in the area of homosexuality have emphasized the study of homosexual identity formation. Several models have been put forward depicting the process of identity acquisition, but little attempt has been made to test either their accuracy or generality. The study outlined in this paper assesses the validity of several important aspects of my six‐stage model of homosexual identity acquisition. To this end, a questionnaire was constructed to measure a number of factors believed to be critical to homosexual identity development. Responses of subjects at each stage were examined to ascertain the degree to which they corresponded with ideal stage descriptions predicted from the model. Results provided some support for the validity of these descriptions and . for the order of the stages. The data describe a four‐stage, rather than a six‐stage model. To check that these findings were not the result of researcher bias, a discriminant analysis was carried out. This indicated that the postulated six‐stage groups could be distinguished. Ways of revising the scoring keys so as to maximize group differences are discussed. Both similarities and differences were apparent between male and female subjects, but the small sample limited the degree to which conclusions could be drawn about these. Implications of these findings for other models of homosexual identity formation are discussed.
This article surveyed the psychosexual development and behavior of Greek university students. The respondents were 3584 university students (f309 male and 2275 female). They were selected proportionally from all the universities of Greece and were given an anonymous questionnaire to fill in. A considerable percentage of students (9%) did not report a first kiss or hug. Virginity was much higher (50%) for women than for men (27%). Same gender sexual experiences presented quite low rates (3.4% of the respondents). Most of the respondents (72%) manifested an agreement with their parents' mentality. There are indications that university students keep on following this mentality and consequently face their relationships, as modern couples, in a quite traditional way.
This article attempts to enhance understanding and communication about different sexual issues. It starts by offering definitions to common terms such as sex, gender, gender identity and sexual identity. Alternate ways to discuss one’s sexual attractions are also presented. Terms are defined or redefined and examples given of their preferred use in different clinical situations, including those associated with children. Adherence to the usage advocated here is proposed as helpful in theory formulation and discussion as well as in clinical practice. When reference is made to individuals of various sexual-minority groups such as transsexual or intersexual persons, the distinctions offered are particularly advocated.
In 1997 an online survey of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth was conducted. The survey, which was available only on the Internet, was promoted through magazines and the World Wide Web. It contained more than 150 questions and took about half an hour to complete. Although all people accessing the web site were allowed to complete the survey, only surveys from respondents under 25 years old were used in the study. The questionnaire was designed to explore many areas of interest in the lives of homosexual, bisexual, and transgender youth, and included sections on: (1) general background; (2) about being queer; (3) the Internet; (4) school policies; (5) school groups; (6) school life; (6) sexual activity; (7) sexual health; (8) the media; (9) harassment; (10) suicide; (11) religion and spirituality; (12) "who I am"; (13) relationships; (14) community; and (15) the future. The Internet survey method allowed for possible sources of error, including falsification, the bias caused by Internet access, and bias introduced by the length of the survey. Although two-thirds of those who started it did not complete the survey, 3,061 complete surveys form the database. Survey data is now available to qualified scholars researching issues surrounding queer youth, social service, and government agencies working to set policy and determine priorities, and to authors who wish to make their needs more well-known. Data are available in a variety of formats. The survey and a summary of responses for each item are presented. (SLD)
Despite the fact that the concept homosexual identity has been used extensively in the literature on homosexuality since the late 1960s, investigators have shown little concern for defining or discussing the manner in which it is used. As a result, the study of homosexual identity has been characterized by confusion, disarray, and ambiguity. A multiplicity of terminologies makes comparisons between studies difficult. There has been little attempt to place theoretical proposals or data within the framework of existing psychological literature on identity. A number of assumptions critical to an understanding of homosexual identity are commonly made, and several of these are discussed: The synonymity of homosexual identity and self-concept: homosexual identity as childhood identity; homosexual identity as sexual identity; and homosexuality as a distinct essence. This review also considers the following issues: The distinction between identity and behavior; the utility of an identity construct as applied to the study of homosexuals; the definition of identity in developmental theories of homosexual identity; and homosexual group identity.
A sample (N = 37) of African American adolescent homosexual males was administered a questionnaire that focused on four areas of social psychological functioning (self‐identity, family relation, school‐work relations, and social adjustment). The findings contradicted several past studies that reported in general that homosexual males experience crippling cognitive dissonance. Even with the existence of homophobia in the society, the adolescents were found to possess an adequate social psychological attitude and survival skills. The sampled adolescents reported being comfortable with their sexual orientation even though the majority of them had not disclosed their homosexuality. The respondents reported how they managed self‐presentation among heterosexual persons. The adolescents appeared well‐adjusted and stable in their social functioning and disagreed with the idea that they needed professional counseling.
This landmark work reports the extensive research findings that address the questions: What is the role of the parents in the development of a son's sexuality? Why do some boys become "feminine"? Which "feminine" boys become homosexual? Why is there a link between being a "sissy boy" and a "gay man"? Parents, teachers, mental health professionals, social scientists, and anyone curious about the development of his or her sexual identity will find this book unusually informative and provocative. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Attempted to illuminate the identity dilemmas faced by self-identified gay men in college by administering the Penn State Lesbian/Gay Life Course Questionnaire (G. J. McDonald; see record
1983-25601-001). Results show considerable variability in how gay men in college handled the many components of their sexual orientation. The foremost challenge to their newly-formed identities was to tell their families. The Ss' gay identity was shown to be in transition, although the Ss had long known they were gay. Many other aspects of gay identity, among them the most challenging, were in flux. On average, the Ss noted their openness about being gay in the center of a continuum of hidden-disclosed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
who decides what makes a woman a lesbian / by what paths do women arrive at a definition of themselves as lesbian / are there paths by which a woman who has so identified herself then departs from that definition / in those cultural contexts where there is no separate lesbian social identity or role, what are the processes of sexual identity development; how do cultural differences in understanding the nature of attraction and intimate pair-bonding in humans transform the meaning of being or behaving in a lesbian fashion
categorize lesbian identity development into biological models, traditional psychodynamic models, feminist psychodynamic models, and cognitively mediated "stage" models (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Kinsey's model of sexual preference [expression of sexual preference, the development of sexual preference] / defining homosexual identity and homosexual identity formation / implications of the study of homosexual identity formation for Kinsey's views of sexual preference [interrelationship of identity development and sexual preference, homosexual identity is developed separately from other sexual preference identities, homosexual identity is not fixed but may be long-lasting, all dimensions of homosexual experience are relevant, the meaning of behavior is important, the person plays an active role in the acquisition of homosexual identity, identity formation can occur at any age, women's experience differs from men's, presenting homosexual identity to others, initiation of identity development does not require overt behavioral expression] (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
To elucidate neurobiological factors related to gender and sexual orientation, event-related brain potentials of 20 heterosexual (HT) men, 20 HT women, 20 homosexual (HM) men, and 20 HM women were examined for neurophysiological differences. Cognitive tasks which typically elicit sex differences were administered. A mental rotation (MR) task assessed spatial ability, and a divided-visual-field lexical-decision/semantic monitoring task (LD/SM) assessed verbal ability and relative degrees of language lateralization. Slow wave activity recorded during MR was greater for HT men than for HT women and gay men. N400 asymmetries recorded during the LD/SM task revealed differences between men and women, but no intrasex differences.
The Social Organization of Sexuality reports the complete results of the nation's most comprehensive representative survey of sexual practices in the general adult population of the United States. This highly detailed portrait of sex in America and its social context and implications has established a new and original scientific orientation to the study of sexual behavior. "The most comprehensive U.S. sex survey ever." âUSA Today "The findings from this survey, the first in decades to provide detailed insights about the sexual behavior of a representative sample of Americans, will have a profound impact on how policy makers tackle a number of pressing health problems." âAlison Bass, The Boston Globe "A fat, sophisticated, and sperm-freezingly serious volume. . . . This book is not in the business of giving us a good time. It is in the business of asking three thousand four hundred and thirty-two other people whether they had a good time, and exactly what they did to make it so good." âAnthony Lane, The New Yorker New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year
How do male homosexuals who choose homosexuality as a way of life recall having acquired their gay identities? This question provided the impetus for the descriptive study presented here. Rather than concerning itself with the etiology of homosexuality, this report-- a synthesis of and elaboration on recent investigations of homosexual and/or gay identity--concerns itself with documenting the ways in which a man learns that he is homosexual, how he realizes or decides that he is gay, and how he integrates this affectional and sexual preference into his identity or self-conception.
The anterior commissure, a fiber tract that is larger in its midsagittal area in women than in men, was examined in 90 postmortem brains from homosexual men, heterosexual men, and heterosexual women. The midsagittal plane of the anterior commissure in homosexual men was 18% larger than in heterosexual women and 34% larger than in heterosexual men. This anatomical difference, which correlates with gender and sexual orientation, may, in part, underlie differences in cognitive function and cerebral lateralization among homosexual men, heterosexual men, and heterosexual women. Moreover, this finding of a difference in a structure not known to be related to reproductive functions supports the hypothesis that factors operating early in development differentiate sexually dimorphic structures and functions of the brain, including the anterior commissure and sexual orientation, in a global fashion.
This study was undertaken to explore patterns of sexual orientation in a representative sample of Minnesota junior and senior high school students. The sample included 34,706 students (grades 7 through 12) from diverse ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic strata. Five items pertaining to sexual attraction, fantasy, behavior, and affiliation were embedded in a self-administered survey of adolescent health. Overall, 10.7% of students were "unsure" of their sexual orientation; 88.2% described themselves as predominantly heterosexual; and 1.1% described themselves as bisexual or predominantly homosexual. The reported prevalence of homosexual attractions (4.5%) exceeded homosexual fantasies (2.6%), sexual behavior (1%), or affiliation (0.4%). Gender differences were minor; but responses to individual sexual orientation items varied with age, religiosity, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Uncertainty about sexual orientation diminished in successively older age groups, with corresponding increases in heterosexual and homosexual affiliation. The findings suggest an unfolding of sexual identity during adolescence, influenced by sexual experience and demographic factors.
Matched groups of homosexual men, heterosexual men, and heterosexual women (n = 38 per group) were tested on three measures of spatial ability and two measures of fluency that typically reveal sex differences. For the three spatial tests and one of the fluency tests, the mean performance of homosexual men fell between those of the heterosexual men and women. The pattern of cognitive skills of homosexual men was different from that of heterosexual men: homosexual men had lower spatial ability relative to fluency. The cognitive pattern of homosexual men was not significantly different from that of heterosexual women. In addition, the results suggest that homosexual men classified on the basis of hand preference may form two subgroups that differ in cognitive pattern. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that there is a neurobiological factor related to sexual differentiation in the etiology of homosexuality.
Despite the fact that the concept homosexual identity has been used extensively in the literature on homosexuality since the late 1960s, investigators have shown little concern for defining or discussing the manner in which it is used. As a result, the study of homosexual identity has been characterized by confusion, disarray, and ambiguity. A multiplicity of terminologies makes comparisons between studies difficult. There has been little attempt to place theoretical proposals or data within the framework of existing psychological literature on identity. A number of assumptions critical to an understanding of homosexual identity are commonly made, and several of these are discussed: The synonymity of homosexual identity and self-concept; homosexual identity as childhood identity; homosexual identity as sexual identity; and homosexuality as distinct essence. This review also considers the following issues: The distinction between identity and behavior; the utility of an identity construct as applied to the study of homosexuals; the definition of identity in developmental theories of homosexual identity; and homosexual group identity.
This is a long term follow-up of 55 boys with early effeminate behavior. It was possible to determine the outcome in sexual orientation in 38 of the boys, which included homosexuality or variants of it in 35 (63.6 per cent) of the total of 55 and heterosexuality in three (5.5 per cent). In 10 boys the outcome was uncertain, and seven were lost to follow-up. An analysis of the uncertain cases suggests that the overall outcome in terms of homosexuality may prove to have been higher than 63.6 per cent. These results agree with those of previous prospective and retrospective studies, which are reviewed. From both types of such studies, the prospective ones starting out with instances of early effeminate behavior and the retrospective with cases of established homosexuality, the conclusion is ventured that all male homosexuality begins with early effeminate behavior. This has implications for future research on homosexuality.