"In Spite of it All": Resilience, Sexual Identity Acceptance, and Disclosure among Black and Latina Same-sex Attracted Women Open Access

Abstract

This empirical study examined sexual identity acceptance and sexual identity
disclosure among a sample of 137 Black and Latina women self-identified same-
sex attracted women (BLSSAW). A transactional resilience framework was used
to explore how varying levels of protective factors, self-efficacy and social
support, moderated the affect of perceived discrimination on BLSSAW's
adaptation to their sexual identity. This study predicted BLSSAW would perceive
higher levels of discrimination compared to their heterosexual counterparts and
that perceived discrimination would be negatively associated with sexual identity
acceptance and disclosure. This study also predicted a positive relationship
between sexual identity acceptance, disclosure, increased social support, and self-
efficacy. Results partially supported the hypotheses presented. Analyses
indicated BLSSAW perceive higher levels of lifetime discrimination, and identify
more reasons for the discrimination compared to their heterosexual counterparts
using previously collected comparative data from MIDUS national survey. Still,
perceived discrimination to sexual orientation was a positive predictor of sexual
identity acceptance and disclosure. The majority of participants reported
relatively high levels of sexual identity acceptance. Levels of sexual identity
disclosure were slightly less among participants. Sexual identity acceptance and
disclosure were positively associated. No significant associations were found
between self-efficacy, social support, and sexual identity acceptance, overall.
However, social support from broader community was positively associated with
sexual identity acceptance. Additional analyses revealed higher levels of daily
discrimination, perceived discrimination to one's sexual orientation, social
support, and social support from broader community were positive predictors of
sexual identity disclosure. Perceived discrimination to one's sexual orientation,
and social support from broader community were positive predictors of sexual
identity acceptance. Social support from broader community moderated the
effect of perceived discrimination on sexual identity acceptance, and disclosure.
Findings showed support for resilient outcomes among BLSSAW. Identifying as
Christian or Protestant and having sexual relations mostly or exclusively with
men were negative predictors of acceptance resilient reintegration. Social
support from community, and living with significant other were positive
predictors, while identifying as Christian or Protestant and having sexual
relations mostly or exclusively with men were negative predictors of disclosure
resilient reintegration.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction... 1 Chapter 2 Resilience, Sexual Identity Acceptance and Disclosure among BLSSAW 14 Chapter 3 Research Design and Methodology.. 50 Chapter 4 "Complex Intersections": A Comparison of Discrimination among Black and Latina Same-Sex Attracted and Heterosexual Women... 67 Chapter 5 "Coming Out and into Her Own": Sexual Identity Acceptance and Disclosure 83 Chapter 6 "Activating the Resilience Process": Discrimination, Social Support, and Self-Efficacy.. 94 Chapter 7 "In the Balance": Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Sexual Identity Acceptance, and Disclosure.. 101 Chapter 8 "What it takes to Adapt": Predicting Sexual Identity Acceptance and Disclosure 109 Chapter 9 In Spite of It All: Resilience among BLSSAW.... 115 Chapter 10 Conclusion... 130 References.. 145

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Sociology
Degree	PhD
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Sociology, General
Keyword	sexual identity acceptance LGBT Discrimination Resilience Black women Latina women sexual identity disclosure
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Keyes, Corey, Emory University
Committee Members	Browne, Irene, Emory University Clay, Andreana, San Francisco State University Aldridge, Delores P, Emory University

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