Citation

Rotheram-Borus MJ, Fernandez MI. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 1995; 25(Suppl): 26-34; discussion 35-9.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8553426

Abstract

Youths with a homosexual orientation face different developmental challenges during adolescence than those faced by heterosexual youths or individuals who recognize their homosexual orientation later in life. We discuss the impact of "coming out," or defining a homosexual orientation, on the development and identity formation of youths who come out during adolescence. The process of coming out is presented as entailing four broad dimensions: recognizing oneself as lesbian or gay; exploring one's sexual orientation through the gay and lesbian community; disclosing one's sexual orientation to others; and becoming more comfortable with one's sexual orientation. Some of the major challenges faced by these youths are described, and future directions for research efforts are discussed.