M Paz Galupo

Previous qualitative research on traditional measures of sexual orientation raise concerns regarding how well these scales capture sexual minority individuals’ experience of sexuality. The present research focused on the critique of two novel scales developed to better capture the way sexual and gender minority individuals conceptualize sexuality. Participants were 179 sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, asexual) individuals who identified as cisgender (n = 122) and transgender (n = 57). Participants first completed the new scales, then provided qualitative responses regarding how well each scale captured their sexuality. The Sexual- Romantic Scale enabled the measurement of sexual and romantic attraction to each sex independently (same-sex and other-sex). Participants resonated with the way the Sexual- Romantic scale disaggregated sexual and romantic attraction. Although cisgender monosexual (lesbian/gay) individuals posi- tively responded to the separation of same- and other-sex attraction, individuals with either plurisexual (bisexual, pansex- ual, or fluid) or transgender identities found the binary con- ceptualization of sex/gender problematic. The Gender-Inclusive Scale incorporated same- and other-sex attraction as well as dimensions of attraction beyond those based on sex (attraction to masculine, feminine, androgynous, and gender non-con- forming individuals). The incorporation of dimensions of sexual attraction outside of sex in the Gender-Inclusive Scale was positively regarded by participants of all identities. Findings indicate that the Sexual-Romantic and Gender-Inclusive scales appear to address some of the concerns raised in previous research regarding the measurement of sexual orientation among sexual minority individuals.

To date, sexual abuse prevention efforts have largely focused on tertiary prevention strategies designed to prevent recidivism among forensic samples of men with a history of sex offending behavior. The present study used mixed methodology to investigate the role of several forensic and related factors on the decision not to commit a sex offense among two groups of community men who self-reported a sexual attraction to children: those who reported a history of acting on their attractions (Acted, n = 29) and those who reported never acting on their attractions (Not Acted, n = 71). Participants from both groups described in their own words the factors that contributed to their decision not to act on their attractions. They also responded to quantitative and qualitative questions regarding the influence and role of the following factors on their decision not to act: (a) the possibility of jail or punishment, (b) mental health treatment, and (c) not wanting to hurt the child. Results we...

The present study collected qualitative data to evaluate the ability of the Kinsey Scale and the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid to capture the identities of Monosexual (lesbian, gay) vs. Non-Monosexual (bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid, etc.) people and Cisgender vs. Transgender people. Content analysis was conducted to assess identity representation.

There is little research regarding the differences between offending and non-offending men who are sexually attracted to children, particularly regarding the decision not to act on one's sexual attraction to children. Community samples of two groups of men with self-identified sexual attraction to children were used for the present study – those with a reported history of sexual offending and those who reported to never have sexually offended. Participants completed the Interest in Child Molestation Scale (Gannon & O'Connor, 2011) to determine self-reported sexual attraction to children and related constructs. Participants also completed mixed quantitative and qualitative questions regarding the role of not wanting to hurt the child and several other factors on their decision not to act on their sexual attractions. Results suggest individuals in the Not Acted group reported lower behavioral propensity toward low-force child molestation scenarios than the Acted group. Further...

The current study is the first to directly compare the abuse experiences of sexual minority and heterosexual former foster youth. Participants included 110 former foster youth who received scholarships through the Orphan Foundation of America. Through an anonymous online survey, participants answered questions regarding their history of physical and sexual abuse. Those indicating a history of sexual abuse also completed The Trauma Related Beliefs Questionnaire (TRB; Hazzard, 1993). Results of the present study indicated an interaction between sexual orientation and sex for both physical and sexual abuse rates among former foster youth. Additionally, sexual minority participants received higher scores on the Self-Blame/Stigmatization subscale than did heterosexual participants. These results suggest that sexual orientation and sex work together to create the context of abuse within the child welfare system. Abstract Background

The present study aimed to investigate gender identity congruence via the unique social and cognitive experiences of self-identified transgender men and women. The authors proposed that ruminative tendencies and number of transgender friendships together would predict level of transgender congruence. Given the conceptualization of congruence as an indicator of healthy gender identity development, as well as the empirically supported relationship between rumination and negative outcomes such as depression and anxiety, the authors hypothesized that rumination would have a negative linear relationship with congruence. Furthermore, the research evidence indicating that transgender friendships provide support specific to the transgender experience while also buffering the negative outcomes of stigma and discrimination suggested that the number of transgender friendships would display a positive linear relationship with congruence. The concept of gender identity congruence is an emerging ...

ABSTRACT Microaggressions are subtle forms of discrimination that occur daily and can manifest as behavioral, verbal, or environmental slights. Whether intentional or unintentional, these microaggressions shape the daily experience of transgender individuals and are central to the way in which they navigate their social and personal relationships. The present study investigated transgender microaggressions in the context of friendships. Participants included 207 adults who self-identified as transgender, transsexual, gender variant, or having a transgender history. Participants completed an online questionnaire and provided both qualitative and quantitative information regarding their experiences of microaggressions in their friendships. Results indicated that the frequency of microaggressions differ across the sexual orientation and gender identity of the friend. Participants reported that although transgender microaggressions were most frequently received from cisgender heterosexual friends, microaggressions were most hurtful when coming from an individual with a similar identity. From their written descriptions of transgender microaggressions, it was clear that the friendship context and the specific identities of the friend in question influenced the way microaggressions were received and interpreted by participants. Given that friendships provide support not often available to transgender individuals through families of origin and through the traditional health care system, discussion focused on the disruption of social support that occurs when microaggressions are present in the context of friendship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)

Abstract Comparative optimism is the belief that negative events are more likely to happen to others and positive events are more likely to happen to the self. This research considers the impact of sexual orientation on comparative optimism, specifically in relation to positive life events. Participants were 392 adult women and men (18–63 years old) who self-identified as either heterosexual (n= 332) or a sexual minority (n= 60). Participants rated 10 general positive event statements and 10 minority salient positive event statements in terms of how ...

ABSTRACT Traditional on-campus housing assignments at colleges and universities are made on the basis of legal sex, where students are housed only with other students of the same legal sex. This method is problematic for transgender and gender-nonconforming students, who may not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. Recently, some institutions have begun to offer gender-inclusive housing to better serve the needs of transgender and gender-nonconforming students. Colleges and universities take a variety of approaches in incorporating this housing option, with varying results. The present research asked traditionally college-aged transgender and gender-nonconforming people which types of housing they would most prefer when considering living on a college campus. In all, 103 college-aged adults participated in the survey and revealed that apartment-style housing and self-contained singles were the most preferred among five housing options currently in use at various colleges and universities across the country. Implications for the various options are discussed, as well as support policies to consider when instituting a gender-inclusive housing community.

ABSTRACT The authors describe the development of the Gender Identity Reflection and Rumination Scale (GRRS), which measures rumination in the context of gender identity among transgender persons. GRRS items were formulated taking into account previous research on rumination, stigma stress, and identity processing. Two national U.S. samples were collected to investigate the psychometric properties of the GRRS, resulting in 3 factors of gender identity rumination: Reflection, Rumination, and Preoccupation With Others’ Perceptions.

The present research explored the strategies individuals with epilepsy use to manage seizure activity by using a survey method (n=105). Analysis suggests that participants' strategies are more likely cognitive or behavioral in nature, rather than emotional. Furthermore, strategy usage varied by whether participants experienced a global perception or an immediate perception of seizure susceptibility. Cognitive strategies were more likely used in response to immediate awareness of seizure risk (p<.01), whereas behavioral strategies corresponded to a global awareness of risk, though this finding did not quite reach significance (p=.06). The present research 1) provides new information regarding the relationship between awareness of seizure susceptibility and strategy use by individuals with epilepsy to manage seizure activity and 2) developed two new scales (Cognitive, Behavior, & Emotional Strategies for Seizure Control Scale and Perception of Seizure Control Scale) for future research and clinical use.

SUMMARY The current research represents the first empirical study to examine attitudes towards bisexual women and men in the context of both traditional and same-sex marriage relationships. One-hundred fifty-five heterosexual women and men participated in a marriage matching task in which they created ideal marriage matches for profiles that differed across sexual orientation and HIV status.

When most people think of psychologists, they typically conjure up images of a therapist writing furiously on a notepad while listening to a client perched on the office couch. While clinical psychologists do comprise the largest subfield in psychology, this image not only provides a skewed understanding of the field of psychology, but also misrepresents the totality of the work of clinical psychologists.

This article focuses on research that seeks to understand conceptualizations of sexual orientation. In particular, the tension between self-identification and social classification is highlighted as discussion focuses on the ways in which sexual identity is understood within a social context. In addition to complicating notions of sexual identity, inclusion of bisexuality in research ultimately invites new ways of conceptualizing sexual orientation. The role the Journal of Bisexuality has played in shaping this research is considered.

This study investigated psychological help-seeking behavior and sexual identity on perceptions of masculinity and femininity. Participants rated masculine and feminine characteristics of a fictitious man portrayed in a vignette. The vignettes were rated by 292 women and 111 men and portrayed either a heterosexual or gay depressed man who was either seeking psychological help or not seeking psychological help. The results of this study showed that psychological help-seeking behavior and sexual identity did not significantly influence perceptions of masculinity, but significantly contributed to perceptions of femininity. In addition, traditional masculine ideology and modern homonegativity were related to negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)

The present study investigates benefits of cross-sexual orientation friendships in adolescent girls. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants in close friendships pairs. Participants included 10 heterosexual, five lesbian and five bisexual individuals. Participants ranged in age from 19–25 at the time of the interview and 12–23 at the onset of their friendship. Results of this study indicate that cross-sexual orientation friendships function similarly in comparison to other friendships, and that issues of sexual orientation can impact friendship development in positive ways. Overall benefits of cross-sexual orientation friendships are discussed, as are benefits that are unique to both heterosexual and lesbian/bisexual youth.

This research investigated women's friendships across sexual orientations as they relate to bisexual identity. Interviews were conducted with 28 female participants in close friendship pairs. Participants included 7 lesbian and 7 bisexual women, along with their heterosexual friends (n = 14). Participants ranged in age from 18-34, with a friendship duration of 1-12 years. Results of this study suggest that while cross-sexual orientation friendships serve a similar function as other friendships, sexual orientation does factor into the friendship dynamic. Analyses focused on the ways in which the difference in sexual orientation identity influenced friendship structure between bisexual-heterosexual pairs. Comparison with lesbian-heterosexual friendships allowed for an understanding of how bisexual friendship experience is unique. Heterosexual women perceived their bisexual women friends as less different from themselves when compared to lesbian friends. In addition, friends in bisexual-heterosexual friendship pairs perceived a shift in the friendship dynamic based on the sex of the bisexual friend's partner.

This study focuses the social context for sexual minority friendships by investigating the friendship patterns of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Participants were 405 self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (18 to 79 years old). Results suggest that like their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minorities primarily form close friendships with individuals who are similar to themselves in sex and race. Sexual minorities, however, are more likely to report cross-orientation over same-orientation friendships. Among sexual minorities, unique friendship patterns exist across sex, sexual orientation, and race. Lesbian and gay participants drew the majority of their friends from the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community while bisexual women and men primarily formed friendships with heterosexual individuals.