Rejected by the family for being lesbian and gay : exploring and testing factors that contribute to resilience

摘要: Research indicates that experiencing rejection from family for being gay significantly increases the risk of suffering various mental health and behavioural problems. However, research was not clear on what constitutes focus also initial rather than current rejection. Furthermore, is needed protective factors influence a person’s ability to successfully cope with such stressful event. Therefore, this investigated contributed resilience men lesbians who experience Interviews in phase explored fostered or inhibited lesbian challenge. Subsequently, questionnaire created administered numerous test identified emerged phase. These were profiled within sample did report The phenomenological approach adopted allowed exploration of: portrayals perceptions rejection; its consequences; assisted impeded it. Data gathered through individual semi-structured in-depth interviews 11 10 (M age = 26.19 years; M disclosure 20.14). Four main themes emerged: Reasons disclosure; nature Negative impact Resilience: Coping Factors appeared contribute strategic concealment, social support, connecting other people, accepting oneself others’ unacceptance. Some participants coped self-destructive means as self-harm substance use. informed by findings both previous qualitative study research. Eleven variables their predict resilience: self-esteem, support family, friends significant others, sense belonging general community, internalised heterosexism, self-acceptance, disengagement, use, acceptance events. Through convenience snowball sampling, total 759 completed and, those, 550 (335 FAMILY REJECTION & RESILIENCE iii men, 215 lesbians; 32.42 years) reported some level Those scored higher depression, anxiety, stress, while lower self-esteem self-acceptance. Resilience scores among adverse experience. Rejection levels when first disclosed sexuality but had most depression scores. Higher lowered stress. Using standard multiple regression analysis, combined effect accounted 52% variance Only two variables, community make contributions. Support disengagement negatively predicted resilience. Greater each remaining seven associated generalisability predicting then examined (n 209; 32.95 years). model 44% variability In contrast experienced rejection, found positively use inhibitor. heterosexism influencers currently six relatively consistent across groups. This contributes theory clinical practice, provides greater insight into how one copes it, well may be perceived. can provide basis developing interventions which could facilitate thus reduce it poses well-being lesbians. iv Copyright Access Declaration I certify thesis does not, best my knowledge belief: (i) Incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted degree diploma institution degree; (ii) Contain published written another person except where due reference made text thesis; (iii) defamatory material;