Multiple Identities: An Examination of Racial, Religious and Sexual Identity For Black Men Who Have Sex with Men During Emerging Adulthood
Item
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Title
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Multiple Identities: An Examination of Racial, Religious and Sexual Identity For Black Men Who Have Sex with Men During Emerging Adulthood
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:e75cfa257460:10848
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identifier
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11157
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Creator
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Walker, Ja'Nina Joy,
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Contributor
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Joseph Glick
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Date
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2011
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Behavioral psychology | Ethnic studies | Black studies | Black | gay/bisexual | internalized homonegativity | racial identity | religious identity | sexual identity
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Abstract
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The current research study attempted to understand the relationship among racial, religious, and sexual identities and their impact on psychological well-being and sexual behavior for emerging adult Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). An online survey designed to measure multiple identities, psychological well-being, and sexual behavior for Black emerging adults (ages of 18 and 29) was completed by 120 BMSM.;Racial, religious, and sexual identities each had an impact on measures of psychological well-being. In bivariate and regression analyses, racial identity was associated with less depressive symptomatology. Religious identity was positively associated with resiliency in both bivariate and regression analyses. Although religious identity was associated with increases in internalized homonegativity, sexual identity was associated with decreases in internalized homonegativity. Even though internalized homonegativity was not hypothesized to interact with measures of identity, it moderated the relationship between each identity and measures of psychological well-being. In regards to sexual behavior, racial identity was the only identity which was related to measures of sexual behavior. Stronger identification with ones racial identity was associated with decreases in sexual behavior. Internalized homonegativity once again moderated the relationship between identities and measures of sexual behavior.;These findings highlight the relationship between multiple identities, psychological well-being, internalized homonegativity and sexual behavior for a population of men greatly impacted by the HIV epidemic. For these men, having a connection to any one of their many identities may be sufficient for psychological well-being. However, it is the interaction of each identity and internalized homonegativity that puts these men at increased risk for impaired psychological well-being and sexual risk behavior. Such findings have practical implications for researchers and service providers invested in providing BMSM with adequate resources and for improving HIV prevention efforts for this population of men.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
