Internalized homophobia and lesbian couple functioning.
Item
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Title
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Internalized homophobia and lesbian couple functioning.
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Identifier
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AAI9224839
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identifier
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9224839
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Creator
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Melamed, Deborah K.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Vera Paster
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Date
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1992
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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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Psychology, Clinical
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Abstract
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During the past decade, the psychological literature on gay issues has included a specific emphasis on the functioning and treatment of lesbian couples. However, theory about these couples has often been formulated on the basis of clinical observations and, as a result, has tended to portray lesbian couples in rather biased and pathologized ways.;In order to more accurately understand the functioning of lesbian couples, it is crucial to conduct non-biased, empirically-based research which takes into account their unique realities. Chief among these is the experience of integrating the lesbian identity which, because of the societal bias against it, carries a significant stigma. Clearly, the achievement of a viable lesbian relationship entails the resolution of "internalized homophobia," which is defined as self-devaluation based on the social stigmatization of homosexuality.;The present study was an attempt to explore the adjustment, satisfaction, and commitment of well-established lesbian couples, with a particular focus on the effects of internalized homophobia. Its main hypothesis was that higher levels of internalized homophobia would be associated with lowered dyadic adjustment and decreased relationship satisfaction and commitment. It was also hypothesized that higher levels of internalized homophobia would be associated with lower levels of self-esteem.;A national sample of 223 lesbian couples was recruited. Subjects had a mean age of 36 years, and a mean relationship duration of 7.5 years. Results showed that couples' levels of internalized homophobia did vary inversely with dyadic adjustment and with relationship satisfaction and commitment, and that individual internalized homophobia varied inversely with self-esteem. In an interesting supplementary analysis, it was found that women who identified themselves as "exclusively homosexual" tended to have lower rates of internalized homophobia and higher levels of relationship adjustment than those who described themselves as "predominantly homosexual, only slightly heterosexual.".;In general, then, these findings confirmed the notion that the lesbian woman's feelings about her gay identity have a profound influence on her interpersonal and intrapsychic experience. These results were discussed in terms of their relevance for lesbian women's overall mental health, as well as for their specific clinical implications.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
