Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 441-457).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-81).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2009. / Title from file title page. Pearl Amelia McHaney, committee chair; Calvin Thomas, Thomas McHaney committee members. Description based on contents viewed Nov. 12, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-82).

Movies or films may be integrated into psychosocial interventions as springboards for conversation to enhance therapeutic gains. Therapeutic and inspirational engagements with movie texts, as opposed to viewing for entertainment, provide narratives that describe, interrogate and revise unique histories and culturally-mediated subjectivities. To examine narrative outcomes of the application of this strategy, a study was conducted with self-identified gay men in a group context. A postmodern paradigm with philosophical correlates from literary and critical perspectives framed the research approach. A hermeneutic method of investigation involving a reading guide extracted themes that emerged from the therapeutic conversations about connections to pre-selected movies. The first theme, a developmental lens, offered narratives of social isolation, intimacy, coming out and identity turmoil. The second theme, a local community lens, offered narratives of social hostility, religious values and monetary forces. The impact of integrating movies into therapy was evaluated within these narratives. A qualitative and self-reflexive approach enabled the creation of a postmodern research product, including the representation of the theme of community meanings in a modified screenplay format as a negotiation between creative and traditional writing practices. The use of movies in this study offered distinctive narrative findings about the sexuality of the participants, although their engagement with movies implied that conditions for useful therapeutic conversation depend upon psychological viewing characteristics. / Dr. Alban Burke

M.A. (Counselling Psychology) / This study is an examination of the context of the gay male individual with HIV illness. A psychosocial model is used to investigate the effects of HIV disease on the individual, his partner and the relationship. The model includes a discussion of variables which are related to adjustment to the disease." These include the special characteristics of HIV disease such as the stigma and the progressive nature of the disease. Furthermore the personality characteristics of the individual and the characteristics of his situation are examined. These factors together contribute to making HIV positive diagnosis a crisis for the individual in his context. A case study approach was used to research the subjective experiences of an HIV infected gay man and his partner. In depth interviews were conducted in order to obtain qualitative data on the individuals within the context of their relationship. The data obtained from the interviews supports the literature in many respects. Of special importance is the impact of an HIV positive diagnosis on intimacy in the relationship. Also important are the changes which occur in the sexual relationship as a result of fear of transmission of the HIV virus. Other important changes include adapting to the uncertainty of living with HIV disease and coping with the emotional reactions, which follow HIV diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of emotional support within the primary relationship as well as the role of friends and family in adjusting to HIV disease. The study also demonstrates the importance of effective communication in dealing with the various stresses associated with HIV disease. Lastly therapeutic interventions have been suggested for counselling the gay infected person and his partner in order to help them to cope with the crisis of HIV disease.

HIV transmission continues to increase for Gay men, especially for those Gay men in nonmonogamous serodiscordant relationships. As the use of PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) increases, much less is known about how PrEP is creating social meaning and transforming the sexual behaviors of HIV negative, non-monogamous Gay men. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the meaning making experiences of Gay men in nonmonogamous serodiscordant relationships. Using the Minority Stress Model, Resiliency Theory, and Queer Theory as theoretical frameworks, the research question for the study focused on how HIV negative Gay men who are on PrEP and involved in nonmonogamous serodiscordant relationships navigate their sexual lives. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed within a purposeful sample of 13 Gay men. The two themes of resiliency and reframing emerged from the descriptive coding, member checking, and triangulation of the data. Of the two themes identified, participants noted pre-PrEP resiliency strategies including looks and trust, while current PrEP strategies included strategic positioning, getting educated about HIV and PrEP, and dating undetectable men. Reframing experiences included marketability, greater feeling of sexual freedom and responsibility, new rules around nonmonogamy, increased sexual confidence, and new masculine terms for condomless anal sex. Findings and recommendations from the study may advance positive social change when researchers and practitioners combat stigma, understand perceived lower risk of HIV transmission through new resiliency techniques, and facilitate the reframing of sex within an individual, relational, and Gay cultural context.

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This qualitative study sought to examine gay men and lesbians experiences of dividing household labor when going from a cohabitating heterosexual relationship to their first cohabitating same-sex relationship. Criterion sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants across the United Sates. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants: two men and four women. The data was analyzed using Moustakas' transcendental phenomenology and codes were organized into themes. The data suggested four categories that described participants experiences of division of household labor when going from a heterosexual relationship to a same-sex relationship: Heterosexual Relationship, Adjustment, Same-Sex Relationship and Benefits and Challenges. Participants described how division of household labor was decided in both relationships, any adjustment regarding division of household labor when going from a heterosexual cohabitating relationship to their first same-sex relationship, how division of household labor was decided in their same-sex relationship, and any benefits and challenges faced from this experience. Overall, participants reported certain expectations regarding who should do the majority of tasks in their heterosexual relationship that were not present in their same-sex relationship. Any adjustment was attributed to getting used to having more help with household tasks in their same-sex relationship. Even though most participants reported no challenges faced from their experience, some participants felt the biggest benefit was having more help with household tasks in their same-sex relationship. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions for research are discussed. / Master of Science