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Lived Experiences of Same Sex Attracted Men with Competing Spiritual and Sexual Identities Robert Hedge

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Lived Experiences of Same Sex Attracted Men with Competing Spiritual and Sexual Identities Robert Hedge Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Lived Experiences of Same Sex Attracted Men with Competing Spiritual and Sexual Identities Robert Hedge Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Counseling Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Counselor Education & Supervision This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Robert L. Hedge, Jr. has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Laura Haddock, Committee Chairperson, Clinical Mental Health Faculty Dr. Katherine Coule, Committee Member, Marriage, Couple and Family Faculty Dr. Thomas Remley, University Reviewer, Counselor Education and Supervision Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Abstract Lived Experiences of Same Sex Attracted Men with Competing Spiritual and Sexual Identities by Robert L. Hedge, Jr. MA, Webster University, 2006 BS, Liberty University, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counselor Education and Supervision Walden University February 2017 Abstract This study focused on understanding the lived experiences of men from a conservative Christian background who had disidentified as gay and subordinated their sexual identity to their spiritual identity. The study was intended to create understanding of the social, cultural, and valuative frameworks that informed and guided their attempts at resolving the conflict between spiritual and sexual identity. The study included three research questions: What are the emergent core themes associated with competing spiritual and sexual identities? How has the response of their faith community affected their struggle? How has the response of the gay community affected their struggle? Through the lens of postmodern theory that identity formation is socially constructed, the qualitative collective case study inquiry included interviews with six participants. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and photo-elicitation. The interviews were divided into personal experiences, church experiences, and application of experiences. Using analytic techniques of pattern matching and explanation building, four emergent themes were identified: conflict; importance of faith; feelings of being alone, fearful, and misunderstood; and God is forgiving and loving. The photo-elicitation consisted of six photos, and participants responded to each photo. The interview responses were coded separately from the photo-elicitation responses to better understand the participants’ journey in experiencing identity conflict and to identify their current experience of the conflict. The social change implications include generating information aimed at reducing stigma and negative perceptions for those who experience competing identities and to minimize the marginalization of this group of people. Lived Experiences of Same Sex Attracted Men with Competing Spiritual and Sexual Identities by Robert L. Hedge, Jr. MA, Webster University, 2006 BS, Liberty University, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counselor Education and Supervision Walden University February 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my children. You have been and continue to be my joy and inspiration. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and abiding love. I am proud to be your “Doctor Daddy.” Acknowledgments First and foremost, I want to thank God for the lifelong relationship provided through His grace and mercy. He has been and continues to be the guiding force in my life. I want to thank my children Patti, Bob, and Adie for all of the great discussions shared during this process. The insight you have shared has been invaluable and has helped to shape and mold my understanding. I want to send out a huge thank you to Dr. Laura Haddock, Dr. Katherine Coule, and Dr. Theodore Remley for the support, insight, and much-needed direction. This could not have been possible without you. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background to the Problem ...........................................................................................5 Reparative Therapy Research ................................................................................. 6 Professional Responses ........................................................................................... 7 Nonprofessional and Ministry Programs ................................................................ 8 Christian Influence in American Society .............................................................. 10 Conservative/Evangelical Christian View of Sexuality ........................................ 10 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................11 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................14 Research Questions ......................................................................................................14 Research Queston.................................................................................................. 14 Issue Subquestions ................................................................................................ 14 Topical Procedural Questions ............................................................................... 15 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................15 Significance of The Study ............................................................................................16 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................17 Assumptions and Limitations to this Study .................................................................18 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 18 i Limitations ............................................................................................................ 19 Summary ......................................................................................................................22 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................25 Introduction ..................................................................................................................25 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................26 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................27 Essentialist Theory ................................................................................................ 27 Valuative Frameworks and Attributions ............................................................... 30 Conservative Christian Framework of Sexuality .................................................. 33 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................33 Understanding Multiple Intersecting Identities .................................................... 33 Literature Review Related to Key Variables ...............................................................37 History of Psychoanalytic Treatment Approaches ............................................... 37 Freud’s Congenital Bisexuality............................................................................. 38 Neo-Freudian Model of Pathology ....................................................................... 39 Normal Variation of Sexuality .............................................................................. 40 The Declassification of Homosexuality ................................................................ 42 Efficacy of Sexual Reorientation Therapy ............................................................ 45 Who Seeks SOCE ................................................................................................. 45 Models of Sexual Development ............................................................................ 46 Understanding Multiple Intersecting Identities .................................................... 50 Relevant Research to this Study ..................................................................................52
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