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No description available.

The purpose of this study was to apply concepts of virtue and positive psychology to the understanding of well-being in gay and lesbian individuals. Ninety-two self-identified gay and lesbian university students between the ages of 18 and 30 completed an online research survey to assess their well-being and character strengths. Preliminary factor analysis revealed a two-factor virtue structure underlying the 24 character strengths as outlined by the Values In Action (VIA) inventory. Participants were grouped using cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis was then performed to differentiate between group membership based on virtue factors. Results suggest that individuals with high autonomy and low overall well-being score lower in interpersonal strengths than those with balanced well-being. As social support has been identified as a key factor related to well-being for this population, further attention is warranted to study the relationship between autonomy, interpersonal character strengths, and social support in this population. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study was designed to examine the effects of identifying as a butch, androgynous, or femme lesbian on self-esteem, internalized homophobia, and passing behaviors. It was hypothesized that butch lesbians would have higher self-esteem, lower internalized homophobia, and fewer passing behaviors than femme lesbians, with androgynous lesbians falling between the butch and femme groups. Self-esteem was measuring using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Internalized homophobia was assessed by the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale. Passing behaviors were addressed through questions in the demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed by conducting an ANOVA analysis. Results indicated that butch lesbians have the lowest internalized homophobia and the lowest amount of passing behaviors; androgynous lesbians have a highest self esteem. Implications of this study for research and practice are discussed.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306 / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

It has only been in recent years that eating disorder researchers have begun focusing on sexual orientation as a variable that may affect prevalence rates. Heeding the call for studies that extend beyond identification of fixed eating disorder risk factors (e.g., gender), this study was designed to explore factors that contribute to the development of disordered eating among lesbians. In this study, a hypothesized Lesbian Model of Disordered Eating was tested using structural equation modeling. Lesbian Sexual Identity and Social Supports were hypothesized to positively influence Psychological Health. In addition, Internalization of U.S. Societal Norms of beauty and attractiveness was hypothesized to negatively affect Psychological Health. Psychological Health, in turn, was hypothesized to negatively influence Body Image Concerns. Body Image Concerns was then hypothesized to positively affect Disordered Eating. The fit of the model was evaluated and one of the hypothesized pathways, Internalization of Norms was moved to directly predict Body Image Concerns. After adjusting the model, the model accounted for 54% of the variance in disordered eating. Most notably, the results highlight the potential affects of adopting a positive lesbian identity on disordered eating and underscore the importance of including sexual identity as a demographic variable in studies of body image and disordered eating. Implications for counseling and directions for future research are discussed.

Li, Ming. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Section I: --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Homosexuals in China --- p.5 / The Invisible Lesbians --- p.6 / Minority Stress --- p.9 / Minority Stress Model --- p.10 / Understanding Lesbians' Stresses in the Chinese Context --- p.13 / Chapter Section II: --- Methodology --- p.17 / Sampling --- p.17 / Data Collection --- p.20 / Data Analysis --- p.22 / Sample Description --- p.23 / Limitations --- p.24 / Chapter Section III: --- Stresses among Lesbians --- p.26 / Family --- p.27 / Labor Market and Workplace --- p.33 / Intimate Relationship --- p.37 / Chapter Section IV: --- Different Identities under the Same Name --- p.46 / Gendered Understanding of Lesbian Identity --- p.46 / Components of Lesbian Identity --- p.58 / Relating Minority Identity to Stress --- p.63 / Chapter Section V: --- Conclusion --- p.69 / References --- p.74

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Despite legal and policy advancements in South Africa, prejudice, discrimination and victimisation are still a reality for many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the country. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has embarked on a process to develop lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) affirmative practice guidelines for psychology professionals, when working with these client populations. As a part of the larger objective, this research study highlights LGB people’s experiences of psychotherapy and counselling in South Africa as possible inputs for the mentioned practice guidelines. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with selected participants. The results indicate that some aspects of LGB people’s experiences are similar to those of anyone in psychotherapy or counselling, but also that there are distinct differences. Negative experiences were almost exclusively due to the counsellor being disaffirming of the client's sexual orientation. Self-acceptance and the development of alternative perspectives of sexuality were more prominent outcomes of counselling compared to studies among broader populations. The participants’ feedback on a list of affirmative statements provides a potential basis for future affirmative practice guidelines. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

The present thesis explored the experiences and correlates of victimization among Chinese gay men and lesbians in Hong Kong with the aim at reducing their victimization experiences in future. This thesis had two studies. Study One was a cross-sectional study to examine correlates of victimization experiences. Based on the stress and coping paradigm, an integrated model on victimization experiences was developed. The model composed of three predicting factors of victimization experiences: predispositional stressors including gender role atypicality and internalized homophobia, cognitive appraisal variables including perceived discrimination and gay/lesbian community involvement, and sexual identity management strategies including counterfeiting, integration, and confrontation. A total of 645 Chinese gay men and lesbians in Hong Kong participated in this study. Results of path analyses showed that sexual identity management strategy of confrontation was the immediate correlate of victimization. Cognitive appraisal variables, including perceived discrimination and gay/lesbian community involvement, were also directly related to victimization experiences. Predisposition stressors, including gender role atypicality and internalized homophobia, were related to cognitive appraisal variables and sexual identity management strategies, which in turn predicted victimization experiences. The cross-sectional model was examined with four types of victimization experiences, including verbal insults, physical attacks, sexual assaults, and unfair treatment; and with gay men and lesbians separately. Results showed that the model was more predictive of physical attacks and sexual assaults of gay men. Based on the final cross-sectional model, a longitudinal model on victimization experiences and a psychoeducational program on sexual identity management strategies were developed. Study Two was a three-month follow-up study to examine the longitudinal model and to evaluate the effectiveness of the psychoeducational program on reducing future victimization experiences. A random sample of 392 participants from Study One was recruited to Study Two. Results of path analyses showed that victimization experiences at T2 (Time Two) were predicted by three longitudinal paths. Confrontation at T1 (Time One) had direct impact on confrontation at T2, which was linked to victimization experiences at T2. Victimization experiences at T1 predicted confrontation at T2, which was related to victimization experiences at T2. Victimization experiences at T1 had direct effects on victimization experiences at T2. Similar to the cross-sectional model, the longitudinal model was more predictive of physical attacks and sexual assaults of gay men. Results also showed that the psychoeducational program was effective in reducing participants' victimization experiences in future. Compared with the control group, participants of the psychoeducational program used less confrontation strategy, more counterfeiting and integration strategies from T1 to T2. Participants showed greater reduction in victimization experiences than the control group from T1 to T2. Compared with lesbians, gay men demonstrated greater reduction in victimization experiences after the psychoeducational program. Limitations and service implications of the studies were discussed. / Wong Chi Yan. / "August 2005." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0566. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 262-291). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Despite legal and policy advancements in South Africa, prejudice, discrimination and victimisation are still a reality for many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the country. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has embarked on a process to develop lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) affirmative practice guidelines for psychology professionals, when working with these client populations. As a part of the larger objective, this research study highlights LGB people’s experiences of psychotherapy and counselling in South Africa as possible inputs for the mentioned practice guidelines. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with selected participants. The results indicate that some aspects of LGB people’s experiences are similar to those of anyone in psychotherapy or counselling, but also that there are distinct differences. Negative experiences were almost exclusively due to the counsellor being disaffirming of the client's sexual orientation. Self-acceptance and the development of alternative perspectives of sexuality were more prominent outcomes of counselling compared to studies among broader populations. The participants’ feedback on a list of affirmative statements provides a potential basis for future affirmative practice guidelines. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)