Identity Development and Acculturation Processes in Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth: Associations with Depressive and Suicidal Symptoms

Previous studies have suggested that gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals may be at increased risk for symptoms of depression and suicidality, but little empirical investigation to date has attempted to make clearer the stressors or factors that are associated with the development of symptoms. This study explores the roles of identity development as a sexual minority individual and the acculturative process in terms of the impact of interaction with heterosexual culture as predictors of depressive and suicidal symptoms. In addition, other psychosocial variable that have been previously associated with suicidality in other minority groups were tested as mediators between gay cultural identity and depressive and suicidal symptoms. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual college students were recruited for participation through social groups specific to this population. Results indicated that gay cultural identity was associated with depressive and suicidal symptoms. Furthermore, social support was shown to mediate the relationship between gay cultural identity and symptoms. Both frequency of social contact and interpersonal quality of social support were included in the analyses, with the latter showing a stronger relationship to the outcome variables. These findings emphasize the importance of research investigating points of intervention and organized efforts to provide social support to gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth that may be most effective in the prevention of depressive and suicidal symptoms.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Kephart, Christina Marie

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Jones, Russell T.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ollendick, Thomas H.
• Johnson, Scott W.
• Finney, Jack W.
• Clum, George A. Jr.

• depression
• identity
• acculturation
• lesbian
• gay

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08212003-142701

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/28744