Citation

Rosario M, Schrimshaw EW, Hunter JA. Am. J. Community Psychol. 2008; 42(3-4): 266-282.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, The City University of New York-City College, NAC Building 7-120, Convent Avenue and 138th Street, New York, NY 10031, USA. mrosario@gc.cuny.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1007/s10464-008-9207-7

PMID

18972204

PMCID

PMC3192490

Abstract

Recent research has suggested that the sexual identity development of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths may not follow a single pattern, but may follow a variety of pathways. Although some research documenting variability in identity development exists, unclear are the potential individual and social contexts that predict these different patterns, as well as the contexts that predict changes in identity integration over time. This report longitudinally examined these issues in an ethnically diverse sample of 156 LGB youths (ages 14-21) in New York City. Cluster analytic techniques identified two patterns of sexual identity formation (i.e., early and more recent), and three patterns of sexual identity integration (i.e., high, middling, and low). Gender and sexual abuse were found to predict identity formation; and, gay-related stress, social support, negative social relationships, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and gender were found to predict patterns of sexual identity integration and changes in integration over 1 year. These findings document different patterns of sexual identity development and identify potential contextual barriers and facilitating factors that may be used to develop interventions to promote healthy LGB identity development.

Language: en