How gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth develop positive identities during adolescence and young adulthood

Author

Lauren E. Millerd, Smith College

Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Gay teenagers-Psychology, Bisexual teenagers-Psychology, Lesbian teenagers-Psychology, Gender identity, Qualitative, Identity development, Identity formation, Adolescence, Adolescent, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Young adult, Interview

Abstract

This qualitative study was designed to examine the ways in which gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents form positive identities, specifically in strength-based ways looking at factors of resilience. Twelve individuals, aged 22-28, were interviewed to give retrospective information about their adolescent development. By utilizing a semi-structured interview model for this study, the researcher was able to analyze the subjective findings utilizing thematic analysis. Significant findings include the influential nature of one's first disclosure of sexual orientation in the development of one's identity, and the positive impact that role models have for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth during adolescence.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 57 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 47-49)

Recommended Citation

Millerd, Lauren E., "How gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth develop positive identities during adolescence and young adulthood" (2014). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/807