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Gay Men, Minority Stress, and Romantic Relationships

Andorka, Michael J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1374254325

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Counseling Psychology.
Gay men experience, internalize, and expect more stigma than do their lesbian and bisexual men/women peers (Herek, 2009; Balsam & Mohr, 2007). Subsequently, it is important to investigate gay men's beliefs about themselves, such as the stereotypical assumption of gay men's inability to have or maintain romantic relationships (Meyer & Dean, 1998; Peplau, 1991). Using a combination of the minority stress model (specifically, experienced discrimination, stigma consciousness, internalized heterosexism and self-concealment) and self-efficacy theory, two path models were constructed to explore this association with the novel relationship constructs of relationship self-efficacy and optimism. The investigation improved past research by the measurement of the minority stress variables, the use of a sample of only gay men, and the use of social media data collection. To test these models, 522 participants were collected. Although both models were outright rejected, three surprising findings emerged. First, the self-efficacy mediation model was supported after a slight alteration to include a direct path from internalized heterosexism to relationship optimism. Secondly, a positive path emerged from experiences of discrimination to relationship self-efficacy. Thirdly, support was found for using an exploratory feminist model which included experiences of discrimination as antecedents to proximal stress processes of minority stress. The findings are discussed in terms of contributions to and future directions for the minority stress model and the inclusion of feminist theory in the exploration of gay men's concerns regarding relationships. Limitations, future directions, and contributions to the field of Counseling Psychology are discussed.
Linda Subich, Dr. (Advisor)
Suzette Speight, Dr. (Committee Member)
Dawn Johnson, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kuldhir Bhati, Dr. (Committee Member)
Robert Schwartz, Dr. (Committee Member)
167 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Counseling Psychology; Gender; Glbt Studies; Personal Relationships
gay men; romantic relationships; minority stress; self-efficacy; self-concealment; internalized heterosexism; experiences of discrimination; stigma consciousness; sexual prejudice; oppression

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Andorka, M. J. (2013). Gay Men, Minority Stress, and Romantic Relationships [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1374254325

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Andorka, Michael. Gay Men, Minority Stress, and Romantic Relationships. 2013. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1374254325.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Andorka, Michael. "Gay Men, Minority Stress, and Romantic Relationships." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1374254325

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1374254325
1,616
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.