Date of Award:

5-2014

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez

Committee

Michael P. Twohig

Committee

Susan L. Crowley

Committee

Amy Bailey

Abstract

Nonheterosexuals disproportionately experience mental illness when compared with heterosexuals. Although it has been well established that the apparent mental health disparity among sexually diverse populations is almost exclusively derived from minority stress (i.e., the excess stress associated with culturally maintained sexual stigma), our understanding of how specific aspects of minority stress lead to specific psychological syndromes (e.g., depression) remains limited. On the other hand, in attempts to destigmatize individuals who do not identify as heterosexual, researchers have increasingly begun to shift the focus of their work towards understanding the specific characteristics or experiences that facilitate individuals’ capacity to adapt and thrive within an oppressive and marginalizing society—considering also, that there are perhaps unique benefits or positive aspects associated with nonheterosexuality.

This dissertation was completed by conducting a series of three separate studies aimed at addressing some limitations of existing research among nonheterosexual populations. All three studies were conducted using data from a larger study in which 1,612 same-sex attracted respondents who were currently or previously affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) completed an online survey inquiring about their religious histories, sexual identity development, and socioemotional functioning. Study costs were minimal as participation was entirely voluntary—no monetary compensation was provided to any participants nor was used for participant recruitment.

The first of the three studies examined how specific aspects of minority stress predicted depression. Results for Study 1 indicated that all of the specific stressors evaluated were individually predictive of depression and that individuals’ need for others’ acceptance of their nonheterosexuality was the most salient predictor of depression. A brief quantitative instrument (i.e., questionnaire) was developed for the second study to assess individuals’ perceptions of the benefits or positive aspects associated with nonheterosexuality. The new instrument is appropriate for use among researchers and mental health providers. The third study explored how individuals’ perceived benefits of being nonheterosexual was associated with varying levels of “outness” (disclosure of one’s nonheterosexual status) across different social contexts. Results demonstrated that the more “out” individuals were, regardless of social context, the more positively they perceived their nonheterosexual status. It is hoped that findings from the present study will be utilized in the development of future mental health interventions designed specifically for nonheterosexually identified persons.

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