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GID and Homosexuality . Gender Identity Disorder vs. Homosexuality in Adolescents. Exploring the differences and similarities in the development of gender and sexual identities in pre-adulthood Amanda Decker Camden County College Professor Chad Leonard. Definitions and Explanations.
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GID and Homosexuality Gender Identity Disorder vs. Homosexuality in Adolescents • Exploring the differences and similarities in the development of gender and sexual identities in pre-adulthood • Amanda Decker • Camden County College • Professor Chad Leonard
Definitions and Explanations • Gender Identity Disorder and Homosexuality • Gender Identity Disorder (GID) • The developmental phenomenon where an individual truly feels that their physical, biological gender is incorrect. (1) • Homosexuality • The sexual attraction to the same sex; also known as LGB (2) Simonelli, C., Rossi, R., Tripodi, M. F., De Stasio, S., & Petruccelli, I. (2006, September 25). Gender identity and preadolescence: a pilot study. Sexologies, 16-1, 22-28 (2) Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E., & Hunter, J. (2008, October 30). Predicting Different Patterns of Sexual Identity Development Over Time Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths: A Cluster Analytic Approach. American Journal of Psychology, 42-3,4, 266-282.
Research Topic • Comparing the development of homosexuality and gender identity disorder in pre/post adolescents. • How do they differ? • How are they recognized? • Are there age differences when they appear?
Homosexuality • 156 youths from New York City area. • 14-21 (Mean age was 18.3) • 49% female, 51% male • 34% low SES, 66% high SES • Self-defined Sexual Orientations • 66% Lesbian or Gay • 31% Bisexual • 3% Unsure
Homosexuality • Interview/Survey Study • Interviewed two times- one year apart • Utilized “Sexual Risk Behavior Assessment – Youth (SERBAS-Y)” and Identity Integration Checklist • Identity Formation vs. Identity Integration
Homosexuality • Identity Formation • SERBAS-Y • Asked ages of participants during six psychosexual developmental milestones • 1) Age when first erotically attracted to the same sex • 2) Age when first fantasized about the same sex • 3) Age when first aroused by fantasizing or erotica of the same sex • 4) Age when first thought they might be LGB • 5) Age when they knew for sure they were LGB • 6) Age when first experienced any same sex activities
Homosexuality • Identity Integration • Identity Integration Checklist (28 questions) • Measured involvement in LGB social and recreational activities • Applied at both interviews; observe any change in the sample group’s overall rate of integration as their sexual identities grew and strengthened • Other Factors • The participants’ opinions of their sexual identity • What other people’s opinions were (+/-) • History of childhood sexual abuse • Support from family and friends
Homosexuality • All LGB youths undergo all of the psychosexual milestones but at different rates • Early development vs. Late development • LGB children that were sexually abused were two times more likely to form their LGB identities earlier (early development) than those with non-abusive pasts • Overall • Identity integration & involvement decreased with time • Rate of disclosure increased • Individuals’ comfort with their identities increased • Overall attitude towards their sexuality increased
GID • 246 preadolescent Italian children from Rome • 9-13 (Majority were 10) • 55.3% female, 44.7% male • Average participants were of middle-low SES
GID • Survey/Interview Study • Completed questionnaires in class • Children • Gender Identity Interview for Children (GII) • Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ-C) * • Teachers * • Gender Identity Questionnaire • Parents * • Child Behaviour Checklist
GID • GII Questionnaire • Gender cognitive confusion vs. Affective gender confusion • Gender cognitive confusion • Are you a boy/girl? When you grow up with you be a Mommy or a Daddy? • Affective gender confusion • Do you ever get mixed up and are not really sure if you are a boy/girl?
GID • Possible GID individual if they answered three or more survey questions atypically. • Most common atypical answer • 40.2% did not feel as if there were any positive elements to their biological sex • 11 participants (all female) could have been considered possible GID individuals (5%) • Did not answer more atypically than typically, so cannot be definitely labeled GID • Could indicate flexible gender identity • Another explanation is that those female participants may have answered as they did because they live in a society that generally favors the male sex.
Conclusion • Age Differences of Studies • GID 9-13 • Homosexuality 14-21 • Nature vs. Nurture • Necessary to consider culture as a factor
Conclusion • GID and Homosexuality may seem very closely related, but understanding the differences between these sex-related developments can help ease the inner turmoil of individuals with GID and homosexuality. • Example: • Understanding that an GID individual may not identify as homosexual because while they are sexually attracted to the same biological sex, they are attracted to the opposite psychological gender.