Predictor Variables Associated with Disclosure and Concealment Of
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Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine DigitalCommons@PCOM PCOM Psychology Dissertations Student Dissertations, Theses and Papers 2012 Predictor Variables Associated with Disclosure and Concealment of Sexual Orientation AnnMarie Panarello Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/psychology_dissertations Part of the Social Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Panarello, AnnMarie, "Predictor Variables Associated with Disclosure and Concealment of Sexual Orientation" (2012). PCOM Psychology Dissertations. Paper 203. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Dissertations, Theses and Papers at DigitalCommons@PCOM. It has been accepted for inclusion in PCOM Psychology Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@PCOM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Depatiment of Psychology PREDICTOR VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH DISCLOSURE AND CONCEALMENT OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION By AnnMarie Panarello Submitted in Patiial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Doctor of Psychology February, 2012 PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY DISSERTATION APPROVAL This is to certify that the thesis presented to us by ______________________________ on the ______ day of __________________, 20___, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology, has been examined and is acceptable in both scholarship and literary quality. Committee Members' Signatures: Petra Kottsieper, PhD, Chairperson Ellen Mitchell, Psy.D. Beverly White, Psy.D. Robert A DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, Chair, Department of Psychology 111 Aclrnowledgements IV Abstract This study examined variables associated with the disclosure and concealment of sexual orientation. A non-experimental correlational design with a regression analysis used to test the following hypotheses: 1) The following independent variables, latter stage of identity development, lower internalized homophobia, more perceived social suppOli, higher self-esteem, and lower presence of cognitive distortions will account for a statistically significant amount of the variance in the disclosure of sexual orientation. 2) The following independent variables, earlier stage of identity development, higher internalized homophobia, less perceived social support, low self-esteem, and higher presence of cognitive distortions will account for a statistically significant amount of the variance in the concealment of sexual identity. 3) Of the five independent variables, degree of internalized homophobia will be most predictive of disclosure of sexual identity. 4) Of the five independent variables, degree of internalized homophobia will be most predictive of concealment of sexual identity. Results of the study found stage of identity development to be both predictive of disclosure and concealment. Social support was also found to be predictive with regard to concealment. All other variables were noted as insignificant. Research evaluating factors that impact the disclosure and/or concealment of sexual orientation remains an important area of study. The goal with regard to exploring these factors is to improve the overall psychological well being of gay and lesbian individuals. v Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ v List of Tables ................................................................................................................. vi Chapter One .................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................... 2 Program Goals ............................................................................................................ 2 Chapter Two: Review of the Literature .......................................................................... 4 Background ................................................................................................................. 4 Identity Development ................................................................................................ 13 Internalized Homophobia .......................................................................................... 23 Stigma Concealment ................................................................................................. 29 Other Factors Relating to Identity Disclosure .......................................................... 39 Cognitive Distortions ................................................................................................ 46 Summary and Critique .............................................................................................. 49 Chapter Three: Hypotheses ........................................................................................... 51 Chapter Four: Method ................................................................................................... 55 Overview of the Study .............................................................................................. 55 Design and Justification ............................................................................................ 56 Participants ................................................................................................................ 56 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria ..................................................................................... 57 Recruitment ............................................................................................................... 57 Plan for Informed Consent ........................................................................................ 58 Measures ................................................................................................................... 58 Procedures ................................................................................................................. 62 Chapter Five: Analytic Plan .......................................................................................... 63 Strategy ..................................................................................................................... 63 Chapter Six: Results ...................................................................................................... 65 General Background Information ............................................................................. 65 Background Characteristics of the Participants ........................................................ 65 Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 66 Chapter Seven: Discussion ........................................................................................... 74 Concealment and Disclosure of Sexual Orientation ................................................. 74 Clinical Implications ................................................................................................. 83 Limitations ................................................................................................................ 84 Directions for Future Research ................................................................................. 86 Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 87 References ......................................................................................... 90 Appendices ....................................................................................... 104 VI List of Tables 1.1 Sex Demographic Characteristics of Participants 1.2 Geographic Demographic Characteristics of Participants 1.3 Education Demographic Characteristics of Participants 1.4 Race Demographic Characteristics of Participants 1.5 Region Demographic Characteristics of Participants 1.6 Victimization Demographic Characteristics of Participants 2. Logistic Regression Parameters for Significant Concealment Variables 3. Odds Ratio for the Significant Concealment Variables 4. Logistic Regression Parameters for Significant Disclosure Variables 5. Odds Ratio for the Significant Disclosure Variables 6. Concealment Regression with the Variables used as Continuous 7. Concealment Regression with the Variables used as Categorical and Left in the Model Regardless of significant 8. Disclosure Regression with the Variables used as Continuous 9. Disclosure Regression with the Variables used as Categorical and Left in the Model Regardless of significant Chapter One Statement of the Problem The gay liberation movement began in 1969 with the Stonewall riot (Rupp, 1999), and The Village Voice newspaper at the time stated, "the liberation is under way" (as cited in Rupp, 1999). The events at Stonewall came to symbolize the organization of a people who prior to this showed no self-acceptance, pride, or resistance.