PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SELF-CONCEPT OF A PERSON WITH NON-HETEROSEXUAL SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Abstract

The purpose of the work: to explore the characteristics of the self-concept of a person with a homosexual identity.
 Methods and methodology of the work. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used for the purposes of the study, i.e., observation, conversation, projective techniques, testing. Data processing was carried out in Exsel and AtteStat. The study involved 32 respondents, 11 of whom identified themselves as women in a male body, 21 – as men being sexually attracted only to representatives of their own sex. The average age of the participants was 24.7.
 Results of the study. All participants in the study have difficulty in establishing social contacts, having a conflicting self-concept, which they consider real, as well as a disharmonious ideal self-concept due to an unstable self-esteem and ambivalent or negative self-attitude. They gravitate towards co-dependent relationships, they have failed to resolve interpersonal conflicts, which are primarily associated with their parents and close relatives. Both the psychological self-concept and the body image are conditioned by the respondents’ dependence on the opinions of others, which prevents them from accepting their own personality, being different from the overwhelming majority due to the sexual orientation, which is still stigmatized in society.
 Practical implications. The results of the study might be useful in practice, helping to select the appropriate tools, to identify the nature of intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts, to carry out consultative, psychocorrectional and psychotherapeutic work aimed at helping to accept one’s own psychological and physical self-concept.