ERIC Number: EJ1121562
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Differences in Psychological Distress and Esteem Based on Sexual Identity Development
Shepler, Dustin; Perrone-McGovern, Kristin
College Student Journal, v50 n4 p579-589 Win 2016
A sample of 791 college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years were administered a series of measures to determine their sexual identity development status, global self-esteem, global psychological distress, sexual-esteem and sexual distress. As hypothesized, results indicated no significant difference in terms of psychological distress, global self-esteem, sexual-esteem or sexual distress between those who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and those who identified as heterosexual. As expected, significant differences were observed among participants in relation to sexual identity development status. Specifically, those who were classified as sexual identity achieved scored higher on measures of esteem and lower on measures of distress. Notably, post hoc analyses indicated sexual distress emerged as a stable variable in explaining differences in sexual identity development status. Implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.
Descriptors: College Students, Measures (Individuals), Emotional Disturbances, Self Esteem, Sexuality, Sexual Identity, Homosexuality, Student Attitudes, Classification, Self Concept Measures, Multivariate Analysis, Student Surveys, Likert Scales, Statistical Analysis
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/csj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A