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BOWERS MAF Dissertation Final.pdf (1.5 MB)

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The Lived Experiences of Mexican American Families of Sexual Minority Persons: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Bowers, David D
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu156802215172081

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science.
This study's purpose was to explore the question: what is the lived experience of family members of those who identify as Mexican American and as a sexual minority member? Research into the experiences of sexual minority youth and their families of origin continues to lag behind other populations (Woodward & Willoughby, 2013). Research on families of origin for sexual minority persons in the Mexican-American communities is especially scant (Franklin, 2015). Using a purposively homogeneous sample of 4 families, the researcher conducted semi- structured interviews which were transcribed and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers & Larkin, 2009). The goal of this study was to produce results which will assist family researchers and therapists in their work with sexual minority persons and their families by providing analysis of lived experiences which might be similar to other persons and their families, offering insight into risks and resiliencies present in similar persons' lives. Studies have repeatedly found higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among members of sexual minorities (D'Augelli & Hershberger, 1993); though it is unclear whether this phenomenon is mirrored in completed suicides. With Centers for Disease Control reporting that Latinos continue to be disproportionally affected by HIV disease, representing 20% of new infections while making up only 16% of the US as a whole, and nearly all those new infections in the Latino community resulting from male-to-male sexual contact, the vast majority (67%) among those under 35 years of age, increased study of Latino families of sexual minority adolescents and young adults would appear to be more urgent now than ever before (CDC, 2015). It appears that further research into how families incorporate into their lived experience the discovery of having sexual minority members might prove beneficial to both young people and their parents. As researchers exploring the effects of bullying on young men who have sex with other men have stated, "Taken together, these findings suggest interventions that help families and communities become more accepting of LGBT members may have beneficial health effects, including decreased depression, drug use and attempts at self-harm"(Hightow-Weidman et al., 2011). Findings from this study produced six superordinate themes: The outing or coming out experience; Culture and ethnicity experienced as strength and a source of pain; Religion as an important factor in shaping the experience of being or having a sexual minority person (SMP) family member ; Gender nonconformity understood as indicating sexuality; SMPs' self-policing behaviors misinterpreted by family members; and, Queering patriarchy , each of which carries implications for clinicians and researchers working with this population.
Suzanne Bartle-Haring, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Susan Saltzburg, Ph.D (Committee Member)
Keeley Pratt, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Judith Tate, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
163 p.
Families and Family Life; Personal Relationships; Psychotherapy
Sexuality Studies; Mexican Americans; Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis; Family Studies; Sexual Minorities

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bowers, D. D. (2019). The Lived Experiences of Mexican American Families of Sexual Minority Persons: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu156802215172081

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bowers, David. The Lived Experiences of Mexican American Families of Sexual Minority Persons: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. 2019. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu156802215172081.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bowers, David. "The Lived Experiences of Mexican American Families of Sexual Minority Persons: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu156802215172081

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu156802215172081
836
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.