Counseling psychology research on sexual (orientation) minority issues: Conceptual and methodological challenges and opportunities.

Abstract

This lead article of the special issue discusses conceptual and methodological considerations in studying sexual minority issues, particularly in research conducted by counseling psychologists (including the work represented in this special issue). First, the overarching challenge of conceptualizing and defining sexual minority populations is described. Second, the importance and value of scholarship about sexual minority issues are highlighted. Third, challenges in sexual minority research are outlined, using the articles in this special issue for illustrative purposes, and suggestions are offered for consideration in future research. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of the ways in which counseling psychologists are uniquely positioned to advance knowledge, practice, and social justice through research on sexual minority issues.

Coming Out Growth: Conceptualizing and Measuring Stress-Related Growth Associated with Coming Out to Others as a Sexual Minority

“…Specifically, major authors within this literature have agreed that sexual minority identity development is both highly stressful (Boon and Miller 1999;LaSala 2000) and can be growth-enhancing (Balsam 2003;Halpin and Allen 2004;Konik and Stewart 2004;Moradi et al 2009;Riggle et al 2008). Others have described the process of coming out to others as growth-enhancing and highly important to developing an integrated identity (Hetrick and Martin 1987;Sophie 1985Sophie /1986Troiden 1993).…”

Consommation de substances psychoactives et sexualité chez les jeunes : une vision globale de la sphère sexuelle

“…Enfin, la documentation scientifique sur les jeunes consommateurs issus de minorités sexuelles comporte encore aujourd'hui des limites importantes quant aux sous-dimensions de l'orientation sexuelle considérées, à la représentativité des échantillons et à leur capacité à considérer au sein des mêmes études l'orientation sexuelle et la consommation de SPA (Bowleg, 2008 ;DeBleare, Brewsters, Sarkees et Moradi, 2010 ;Flores-Aranda, Bertrand et Roy, 2014 ;Moradi, Mohr, Worthington et Fassinger, 2009). Ces éléments soutiennent la nécessité d'avoir des protocoles de recherche qui prennent en considération plusieurs dimensions de l'orientation sexuelle.…”

Victimization Among Female and Male Sexual Minority Status Groups: Evidence From the British Crime Survey 2007–2010

“…One implication of these observations is that initiatives to tackle hate-crime have been based on out-dated assumptions around reasons for under-reporting, and this sometimes flawed understanding is aggravated by the methodological challenges of conducting research with sexual minority status groups (Moradi et al, 2009;Sell, 2000).…”

“…In contrast, evidence that rates and types of sexual orientation victimisation differ between sexual minority status groups (Herek, 1989;Herek et al, 2002;Roberts et al, 2010;Warner et al, 2004), and between males and females amongst these groups (Balsam et al, 2005 However, to some extent, peer reviewed research has some limitations similar to those of survey studies. To a degree, these are general methodological challenges reflecting the inherent difficulties faced in any attempt to assess the social and economic conditions of sexual minority status groups, including their experiences of hate-crime as well as more general victimisation and the criminal justice system (Aspinall, 2009;Gates, 2011;McClean & O'Connor, 2003;McManus, 2003;Martin & Meezan, 2003;Moradi et al, 2009;Price, 2011;Purdam et al, 2008). Thus, research on the victimisation of sexual minority status groups can lack generalisability and reliability (Dick, 2009b;Purdam et al, 2008), and much of the international research on sexuality motivated hate-crime is regarded as methodologically inconsistent (Herek, 2009).…”

“…Methodologically, they typically use questionnaire and focus group data, and recruit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender respondents from locations, venues and events they are known to frequent, a sampling technique known as outcropping (Sell, 2000) or venue based sampling (Moradi, Mohr, Worthington & Fassinger, 2009). This evidence indicates a relatively consistent picture of verbal harassment and abuse, physical attack and discrimination against respondents.…”