Identity Development Model for LGBT Population

Religion and acceptance have a large impact on people in the LGBTQ communities. All anyone has ever wanted was to be accepted for who they are by their friends and family. When this doesn’t happen it can cause stress and thoughts of suicide. If the stress of not being accepted continues there is a possibility that there may be a loss not only with their LGBTQ identity but their spiritual identity as well. Loss of Religious or Spiritual Identities Amoung [sic] the LGBT Population by Andrew William Wood and Abigail Holland Conley ;and The Role of Religion and Stress in Sexual Identity and Mental Health Amoung [sic] Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth by Mathew L. J. Page, Kristin M. Lindahl, and Neena M. Malik are two articles out of the many that

Greenan & Tunnel (2003) posit that the societal marginalization exerted on same-sex couples, translates into internalization of an inferior status (as cited in Wetcher & Bigner, 2012). Herdt (1989) describes the process of coming out as the process of introducing an individual’s sexual orientation to broader circles of people, commencing with the self. The fear of coming out is often associated with fears of emotional rejection by family members, or internal belief of disappointing one’s parents. To cope with this fear, often gay men resort to concealment of their identity (Herdt, 1989; Ramirez & Brown, 2010). The social construct of belonging to a minority community, the avoidant attachment style and the threat of conflict within the family of origin system acts as the reagent that evokes Steve’s emotional distress which he regulates by withholding disclosure. Brain’s feeling of insecurity and wanting reassurance could be attributed to the vast discrepancy between the interactions he has experienced with his family of origin and current family system he shares with Steve.

Fassinger’s Model is influenced by racial and ethnic identity development models as well as gender identity development models. The theory offers a more inclusive perspective of various individuals in their sexual orientation identity formation (McCarn & Fassinger, 1996). Fassinger’s Model was developed in an attempt to address the critiques of previously existing models. Fassinger’s model differs from other preexisting models in that the authors clearly distinguish between the two processes of personal development and group membership of same-sex sexual orientation (Evans et. al, 2010). In contrast to other models, this model uses phases versus stages, in order to provide flexibility and to demonstrate that

The purpose of this study was to prove how minority stress correlates with mental health within the transgender community. As defined by Meriam-Webster Dictionary, transgender “is relating to, or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person 's sex at birth” (Merriam-Webster, 2016). For example, male to female, or female to male. However, researchers in this study used the minority stress model, which suggested that the stress associated with stigma, prejudice, and discrimination will increase rates of psychological distress in the transgender population (Bockting, Miner…& Coleman, 2013). As evident from past research, physical violence, verbal harassment and employment discriminations were some of the many types of societal prejudices. In fact, as seen in the article, these stresses create depression, anxiety, and other types of mental illness within the transgender community. However, researcher’s goals were to see exactly how these different variables increased levels of stress. For example, was there negative types of stigma that were less or more server, and what could help to alleviate stress?

The purpose of this review is to show that the LGBT community is at higher risk for mental health disorders and psychological distress. This review will show that discrimination among the LGBT community is linked to the risk of mental health disorders and psychological distress and also demonstrate that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth have high levels of emotional distress. This paper will investigate mental health and discrimination focusing on

According to Frost, Lehavot, and Meyer (2013), research shows that different forms of stress has a negative effect on emotional and physical health, particularly minority populations that seem to be confronted with more social stress related to prejudgment and stigma. Historically, minorities have been subjected to diverse experiences based on their status of being a minority, whether it is race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Several research studies have shown that gay men are at a higher risk of mental disorders than heterosexual men (Sattler, 2016). According to Aneshensel, Rutter, and Lachenbruch (1991) social conditions are a cause of stress for members of disadvantaged social groups, in which the stress can ultimately

During this time the LGBTQ generally weighs the advantages, disadvantages and risks, recognizing what they have to lose or gain. Acceptance by others at this point is crucial to developing a positive self-esteem and self-concept. Acceptance by others usually paves the way to tell more people as the LGBTQ finds acceptance for who they are. Rejection will validate the negative feeling that the LGBTQ started out with, further injuring their self-esteem and causing them to return to internalizing their identity as seen in the pre-coming out phase (2). Because acceptance is necessary to the development of a healthy self-concept, it is important for the LGBTQ to cautiously choose whom they will disclose their identity to.

care (Leung, Erich, & Kanenberg, 2005). Research has also found that Gay, Lesbian, and Same-

Today, when challenging the stigma attached to same-gendered sex, evidence from social sciences (psychology, sociology, biology etc.) has been used to prove that people in same-gender relationships have the same capacity for commitment, faithfulness, compassion, and traits that are indistinguishable from those in hetero-sexual relationships. Their families “show the same degree of healthy and successful function as heterosexual families” (Hartwig 2); the children of homosexual families also exemplify traits of successful psychological and sociological growth. In the Padua conference article, there is mention of specific instruments and tests to measure the psychological health of gay families, individuals, and their children. The Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Sixteen Personality Factor (16PF) instrument are a few examples that measure psychological indicators. The MMPI-2 identifies underlying clinical problem in individuals. Problems include paranoia, demoralization, antisocial

Nevertheless, content analyses of the research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues in psychology have indicated that the most common method of assessing the sexual orientation of participants is to request self-identification as a gay man, a lesbian, a bisexual, or a heterosexual (or some variation), often by forced-choice formats” (Worthington & Reynolds, 2009).

LGBT individuals access and experiences with services may be affected by their identity. Fredrikesen-Goldsen et al. (2014) stated, “In addition to discrimination in the larger society, LGBT older adults experience both overt and covert discrimination in health and human service settings. Discrimination within healthcare systems is a significant predictor of poor mental and physical health” (p. 93). In addition, due to ageism and heterosexism older LGBT individuals have less resources and services available to them, and they also may be afraid to seek out these services (Jessup & Dibble, 2012). Feeling like they are pressured to be invisible and silent due to previous experiences of institutional discrimination and insensitivity from professionals may also cause older LGBT individuals from seeking out mental health services (Hash & Rogers, 2013). In addition, many older LGBT adults feel the need to hide their identity of go “back into the closet” when receiving services or in long term care facilities which can lead to higher levels of psychological distress (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al, 2014). Hash & Roger’s (2013) stated,

Some of the sexual identities in many minorities comes with other underlying social stress issues like suicide and according to a study by Balsam, Molina, Beadnell, Simoni & Walters (2011) states that the ‘’Social oppression in its many forms takes a toll on the health of individuals’’ However, certain psychological stress in LGBT minorities that includes racism, relationships and the heterosexism by their communities. Which correlations of stress gender selection not only in African Americans but and Latina as

Inequality and discrimination for those dealing with their sexuality and sexual orientation everyday is a constant struggle that D 'Augelli, Grossman and Starks (2006) wanted to research. This research looked at how swaying from gender norms and victimisation in terms of verbal, physical and sexual abuse can negatively affect the mental health of LGBT youths, with post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD being of particular interest. The results were gathered by mental health

Although Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and homosexuality has been in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for many years, I was personally unaware of the controversy that surrounded it. I realized that I needed to educate myself in the issues and changes that have occurred in the DSM regarding GID and homosexuality over the years.

The sexual orientation identity development is a theoretical model that conceptualized the resolution of internal conflict related to the formation of individual sexual identity. For sexual minority people, it is commonly known as the coming-out process (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). There have been many different models elaborated to explain such process. All of them share similar stages: awareness, crisis, and acceptance (Loiacano 1989). When individuals become aware of their queer feelings and attraction, they try to block these homosexual feelings by constantly denying and minimizing them. This mechanism of defense leaves negative sequelae in their overall psychosocial well-being (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). Individuals tend to pass by a