Definition Of Sexual Orientation Research Articles

O processo de identificação sexual na adolescência: um estudo qualitativo no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Objetivo: analisar como adolescentes percebem o processo de identificação/definição da orientação do desejo sexual. Metodologia: estudo de abordagem qualitativa por meio de grupos focais com estudantes do ensino médio de escolas pública e privada. Foram realizados 5 grupos focais totalizando 59 estudantes, de 13 a 18 anos, sendo 37 do sexo feminino e 22 do masculino. As reuniões foram gravadas e transcritas e os dados submetidos à análise de natureza compreensiva com auxílio do software WebQDA. Resultados: os dados foram classificados em duas categorias de identificação/definição da orientação sexual: uma resultante de influências da família, sociedade, mídia e religião; e outra estabelecida pela natureza e experimentação. Na primeira há o reconhecimento dos condicionantes de gênero desde tenra idade e a opressão heteronormativa da sociedade. Na segunda categoria prevaleceu o entendimento de que a atração sexual surge com a puberdade e, na visão preponderante das moças, há necessidade de testar para se ter certeza da orientação do desejo, que pode mudar em qualquer época da vida, demonstrando maior fluidez da identidade sexual no sexo feminino. Conclusão: o processo de identificação e definição da orientação sexual é marcado pela heteronormatividade que demonstra constranger as possibilidades de expressão da sexualidade.

Incorporating LGBT Health in an Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum Through the Construct of Social Determinants of Health.

The AAMC has provided a resource to medical schools for implementing curricular change in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health education. However, studies have identified that many health professionals who do not feel comfortable in their ability to provide quality care for LGBT patients do not perform complete sexual histories routinely and/or harbor bias towards these patients or their sexual practices. This situation underscores the continued need for further education on this topic. Based on a needs assessment survey of medical students and faculty, we developed a 1-hour didactic lecture to provide instruction on how social determinants of health impact the care of LGBT patients. Students were not required to have any prerequisite knowledge for the session. A content expert in LGBT health taught the lecture using Microsoft PowerPoint in a traditional medical school lecture hall. The lecture was given to 180 third-year medical students. A total of 63 students (35%) responded to the retrospective pre- and postlecture survey. After the didactic lecture, students reported a statistically significant change in their knowledge of the lecture objectives. The didactic lecture was able to increase students' knowledge of how social determinants impact the health of LGBT patients. The lecture can be incorporated into a longitudinal curriculum on LGBT health. Additional work and research are needed on increasing comfort in faculty teaching.

Motivation of sexual relationship with animal–Study of a multinational group of 345 zoophiles

IntroductionWe explore relationship-seeking behaviour of zoophiles (zoos), using Francoeur's (1991) definition of sexual orientation (as consisting of affection orientation, sexual fantasy orientation, and erotic orientation).ObjectivesThis study intends to be the largest in recent decades’ comprehensive analysis of self-identified zoophiles, living on all five continents. It describes similarities and differences between normative sexual orientations (hetero- and homo-) and zoophilic sexuality, using Francoeur's (1991) framework.MethodA qualitative observational study of user activity (n = 958) on discussion forums, combined with brief demographic survey. Data were analyzed according to principles of grounded theory. Next, surveys of own design (demographic, discreet + open ended questions) were received by n = 350 participants. Presented data show aggregate conclusions from mixed methods qualitative and quantitative analysis.ResultsTrend analysis yielded four main discussions among zoophiles – worldview, personal space, sex life, and online space. Within worldview category, zoos overwhelmingly discuss bad press (55%), as well as social (41%) and legal (22%) ostracism. In personal space, the primary concern is coming at easy with own sexuality (>60%) and forming lasting relationship with either human, animal, or both partners simultaneously. In terms of sex life, zoos are concerned with improving sex play (>40%) and figuring out legality of sexual encounters with animals (22%). Concerning online space, the biggest concern here is networking (40%) and meeting other zoos for dating (15%).ConclusionsModern zoophiles have a wide array of personal, social, legal, and sex life challenges that can be approximated using qualitative studies.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Women negotiating sexual identity in the face of homelessness: from silence to satisfaction

Women confront unique challenges when faced with homelessness, not the least of which is negotiating how to express their sexuality. Research has tended to look at the sexuality of women who are homeless pathologically, yet in housed women a healthy sex life is an important predictor of happiness and well-being. The complex relationship between health and sexuality is significant, yet under-researched for women experiencing poverty and homelessness. This study presents findings from a national study in six Canadian cities: Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, the goal of which was to identify precedents and guidelines to inform the design of homeless shelters for women. In qualitative interviews, seventy-six women responded to questions about sexual orientation and in doing so described their expression of sexuality and intimate relationships. The participants were diverse in age, sexual orientation and ethnicity and results indicated multiple opinions on relationships, gender separation in shelters, sexual reproduction and definitions of sexual orientation. This paper describes the variability in how women express their sexuality and their understanding of intimate relationships in the context of homelessness and consuming shelter services. Results indicate the need for further research on sexuality to inform practice with women who are homeless.

The Development of the Sexual Responsiveness Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults: Putting a Definition of Sexual Orientation to the Test

Published work has pointed to the need for the development of a psychometrically sound measure of sexual orientation in order to enable empirical research in this area to advance. Such a measure could contribute towards greater standardization of an operational definition of sexual orientation necessary for comparison of results in otherwise similarly focused research studies in future. To contribute to this process, a new questionnaire, the Sexual Responsiveness Scale (SRS), which takes cognizance of existing measures, was developed and its psychometric properties examined. The SRS complies with the criteria of a ‘new paradigm’ conceptualization of sexual orientation and therefore measures same and opposite sex responsiveness separately, eliciting both intensity and frequency responses over the entire lifespan as well as over the most recent 30 days. Sexual responsiveness as manifested in fantasy, attraction, contact, and emotion is assessed. The scale was completed by a convenience sample of 835 South African adolescents and young adults.

Revealing Assumptions

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, writers have urged researchers to provide conceptual definitions of sexual orientation in their work. Not only are definitions lacking but researchers have frequently cited support for their work from conceptually conflicting models of sexual orientation. The lack of conceptual integrity in much research in this area may be due to implicit, unexamined assumptions about sexual orientation. The result has been fragmented findings and weak explanatory models. This paper illustrates a variety of conceptual assumptions about sexual orientation found in published studies and suggests a strategy for explicating assumptions about sex and gender, sexual orientation, nature of being, role of biology and environment, and research methodology. The purpose of this paper is to unmask implicit social beliefs about same-sex attraction and attraction to both sexes and to promote reliable, testable models of sexual orientation. Such a practice is likely to expand and standardize the concept of sexual orientation. Although unmasking implicit assumptions will not prevent poorly conceived research from being conducted or published, routinely identifying conceptual assumptions in the literature will raise the standard for researchers and promote evaluation of theoretical models.

The Earnings Effects of Sexual Orientation

This investigation of the effect of sexual orientation on earnings employs General Social Survey data from 1989-96. Depending largely on the definition of sexual orientation used, earnings are estimated as having been between 14% and 16% lower for gay men than for heterosexual men, and between 20% and 34% higher for lesbian women than for heterosexual women. This evidence, the authors suggest, is consistent with either of two complementary constructions: Gary Becker's argument that male/female earnings differentials are rooted in specialization within households and in optimal human capital accumulation decisions individuals make when they are young; and Claudia Goldin's observations about marriage-based gender discrimination, according to which the paternalistic protection of wives and mothers from the world of work has tended to overlook lesbians.

The Earnings Effects of Sexual Orientation

This investigation of the effect of sexual orientation on earnings employs General Social Survey data from 1989–96. Depending largely on the definition of sexual orientation used, earnings are estimated as having been between 14% and 16% lower for gay men than for heterosexual men, and between 20% and 34% higher for lesbian women than for heterosexual women. This evidence, the authors suggest, is consistent with either of two complementary constructions: Gary Becker's argument that male/female earnings differentials are rooted in specialization within households and in optimal human capital accumulation decisions individuals make when they are young; and Claudia Goldin's observations about marriage-based gender discrimination, according to which the paternalistic “protection” of wives and mothers from the world of work has tended to overlook lesbians.

Questioning Youths: Challenges to Working with Youths Forming Identities

Youths who question their affectional orientation are increasingly identified as a group of young people with needs for support. These questioning youths are often included in groups intended for sexual minority youths, but may be ill served by them if the groups' developers fail to conceptualize their status as developmental. Rigid social expectations about sexual identity development may further complicate the experiences of these youths in schools and communities. This article reviews definitions of sexual orientation, identity, and questioning youths and suggests implications these have for youths and programs. Recommendations are made for school programs that support the alliances among youths regardless of sexual orientation and that include both social activities and group support.

The Emerging Gay Adolescent

This article seeks to give an overview of the often contentious issue of homosexuality. Homosexuality is initially set in its context of the DSM and ICD classifications, and the definitions of sexual orientation and identity are considered. The fluidity of sexuality and homophobia are discussed, along with how they may affect any clinical intervention. Aetiologies of a homosexual orientation are then considered, along with whether such research has any clinical relevance. Finally, the ‘coming out’ process is considered, with developmental models acting to provide a framework for assessment and intervention.

Educating Sexuality Professionals to Work with Homoerotic and Ambierotic People in Counseling and Therapy: A Voice from the Trenches

Educating sexuality professionals to enable them to work effectively with homoerotic or ambierotic clients begins by differentiating between sex counseling and therapy; exploring psychosexual development models, with emphasis on the bio-socio-psychological model; and examining definitions of sexual orientation. This is followed by an explanation of the difference between sex and orientation, using homoerotic, ambierotic, homosexual, and bisexual as examples. Homoerotic and ambierotic people enter counseling and therapy for several reasons, such as the effects of living in a hostile culture and socialization for heterosexual relationships. In addition, inappropriate mental health assumptions, “coming out” issues, and internalized homophobia may be the impetus for seeking professional help. For the sexuality professional, two issues that should be explored are personal homophobia and self-disclosure.

Definition and Measurement of Sexual Orientation

Measurement and definition of sexual orientations have increasingly become a central focus in both research design and public policy debates. This paper reviews major methods, and their theoretical underpinnings, for the definition and measurement of sexual orientation, highlighting their limitations and pitfalls, both practical and conceptual. The increasing politicization of this area is discussed and cautioned against. Recommendations, both general and geared toward measurement concerns with adolescent populations, are made. A specific measurement strategy, which can be utilized at a number of different levels, is detailed.

Research on sexual orientation and human development: A commentary.

Over the last 25 years, dramatic advances have occurred in the understanding of the development of sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian interests and behavior appear to result from a complex interplay of genetic, prenatal, and environmental influences. Gender identity develops early, especially for males, and is difficult to change. Homosexuality is less likely to be characterized as pathological, although discrimination and hate crimes continue to affect many gay men and lesbians. The overall emotional well-being of gay men and lesbians, as well as children raised in gay and lesbian families, is as psychologically healthy as that of their heterosexual counterparts. Methodological difficulties in research remain with continued needs for more delineated definitions of sexual orientation and empirically derived databases of population statistics of gay men and lesbians

Research on sexual orientation: definitions and methods.

An extensive survey of the research literature on sexual orientation was undertaken for the purpose of determining how sexual orientation had been conceptually and operationally defined and how research subjects had been identified and selected. Two hundred-twenty-eight articles from 47 different journals were analyzed. Sexual orientation, it was found, was conceptually defined in 28 studies and operationally defined in 168. In 196 studies respondents were identified on the basis of the settings in which they were found. Because of the great variation in both conceptual and operational definitions, it was almost impossible to determine with certainty the theoretical frameworks used in the studies. The wide divergency in the definitions of sexual orientation, the investigators conclude, is symptomatic of an underlying conceptual confusion.