This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experience of polyamory from the perspective of heterosexual polyamorous women through a mononormative framework. Interpretive phenomenology was used because it gives participants the opportunity to express this phenomenon on their own terms. This study focused on understanding the experience of heterosexual polyamorous women in the following areas: (1) understanding the decision to participate in polyamorous relationships, (2) exploring the boundaries heterosexual women use to regulate and maintain multiple relationships, and (3) giving these women the opportunity to refute assumptions and stereotypes associated with identifying themselves as polyamorous. Eight women whom identified as heterosexual and polyamorous participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Data form these interviews were analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological approach. Open coding and in-vivo coding were used to organize similar experiences into concepts that were then organized into themes and subthemes that emerged from the data. From this study, researchers gained insight into how polyamorous heterosexual woman make meaning of this phenomenon and offer recommendations for clinical professionals to use when working with this population. / Master of Science / Polyamory has been practiced for centuries in many different cultures (Labriola, 1999; Klesse, 2006; Robinson, 2013). Previous research on polyamorous relationships has focused primarily on homosexual males. There has been limited research on polyamorous relationships from the woman's perspective and no research focused exclusively on heterosexual women who identify as polyamorous. This study explored the lived experience of heterosexual polyamorous women in polyamorous relationships using interpretive phenomenology. This included understanding the decision to participate in polyamorous relationships, exploring the boundaries heterosexual women use to regulate and maintain multiple relationships, and giving these women the opportunity to refute assumptions and stereotypes associated with identifying themselves as polyamorous. The results of this research study provide insight into this perspective on polyamory and offer recommendations for clinical professionals to use when working with this population.

Using Mohr's (2002) model of the heterosexual therapist as the theoretical framework, this study examined lesbian women's perceptions of heterosexual counselors based on heterosexual identity development. Specifically, it was hypothesized that lesbian women's perceptions of a heterosexual counselor would differ based on the counselor's working model of heterosexual identity development, as conceptualized by Mohr (2002). It was also hypothesized that Mohr's integrative working model would be perceived most positively by participants, followed by the politicized, democratic, and lastly the compulsory working model. Participants were 144 self-identified lesbian, gay, and/or queer-identified women surveyed through an email advertisement. Counselor heterosexual identity was operationalized through vignettes portraying dialogues between a counselor and client. Perceptions were measured by the Counselor Effectiveness Rating Scale (CERS; Atkinson & Wampold, 1982) and one item assessing utilization intent. Covariates included positive and negative trait affect, measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988), and internalized homophobia, assessed with the Lesbian Internalized Homophobia Scale (LIHS; Szymanski & Chung, 2001). Results indicated significant differences in perceptions between counselor working models, such that the compulsory counselor was rated significantly lower than the other three counselors, both in terms of credibility and utilization intent. Implications of this study include shedding light on the identity dynamics of privileged group members in a counseling setting, as well as reaffirming the importance of self-knowledge and training experiences for counselors of privilege to increase multicultural competence, especially in terms of sexual orientation.

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INTRODUCTION: The fastest growing segment of the U.S. population is among individuals aged 50 and older. However, advanced age is not protective against HIV. AIM: The purpose of this study is to examine individual characteristics (gender, age, education) as well as environmental and behavioral factors (doctor visits and IDU) that may be linked with HIV status among older heterosexual African American adults. The factors associated with HIV status that were examined include education level, IDU within the last six months, non-injected drugs that were used within the last six months and the length of time since the last doctor visit. METHODS: The original study used participant-driven sampling to identify seeds in high risk zip codes within the City of Atlanta to complete questionnaire and provide biospecimens. This study focuses on the interviews and test results of participants ages 50 and older. Associations of demographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors and HIV status were analyzed using Pearson chi-square, univariatae, and multivariate tests. RESULTS: African Americans who have injected drugs within the last six months are more likely to be HIV positive than those that have not injected drugs in the last six months. DISCUSSION: Results of this study reveal that there are unique patterns of risk taking behavior among older adults. These findings can provide potential intervention opportunities that may prevent HIV transmission among this vulnerable, increasing segment of the population.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 78-83).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Texas, 2000. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 9, 2004). Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-98).

Thesis (M.S.)--Western Washington University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-44). Also issued online.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-70). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Boston University. University Professors Program Senior theses. / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-02