Date of Award

Spring 4-20-2011

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Counseling and Psychological Services

First Advisor

Gregory L. Brack

Second Advisor

Catherine J. Brack

Third Advisor

JoAnna White

Fourth Advisor

Kenneth B. Matheny

Abstract

This study explored the influence of minority stress on the career and life-space developmental trajectory (Super, 1990) with a sample of gay, bisexual, and queer men. Approximately 202 self-identifying sexual minority males were recruited across the United States via the internet. The study tested a model in which dyadic adjustment and career satisfaction mediated the relationship between three specific minority stressors (internalized homophobia, concealment motivation, and stigma sensitivity) and four specific life roles (partner, occupational, homemaker, and parental life roles). A measured variable path analysis (MVPA) was conducted with the following measures: the Internalized Homophobia Scale (Martin & Dean, 1987); Stigma Sensitivity Scale (Mohr & Kendra, 2011); Concealment Motivation Scale (Mohr & Kendra, 2011); Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Sharpley & Rogers, 1984); Career Satisfaction Scale (Greenhaus, Parasuraman, & Wormley, 1990); and the Life Role Salience Scales (Amatea, Cross, Clark, & Bobby, 1986). The data fit the proposed model well. Internalized homophobia and stigma sensitivity significantly contributed to dyadic adjustment, while dyadic adjustment significantly contributed to partner role saliency. Dyadic adjustment partially mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and partner role saliency, as internalized homophobia directly contributed to ratings of partner role saliency and parental role saliency. Dyadic adjustment fully mediated the relationship between stigma sensitivity and partner role saliency. None of the minority stressors significantly contributed to ratings of career satisfaction, nor did career satisfaction mediate the relationship between minority and the life role saliency measures. Implication for practitioners, recommendations for social justice, as well as limitation and directions for future research were provided.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/2018898

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