Intersectionality and Identity Configurations: A Qualitative Study Exploring Sexual Identity Development Among Emerging Adults Within the United States

Abstract

Although modern comprehensive conceptual models of sexual identity development acknowledge contextual factors, existing models have placed less emphasis on (a) the influence of multiple domains of identity on sexual identity formation and (b) centrality and negotiation of various domains of identity. The present study sought to explore processes, identity conflicts, and management of sexual identity relative to other identity domains among sexual minority emerging adults in the United States. Fourteen sexual minority emerging adults (20–25 years) with a diverse array of identities participated in semistructured individual interviews, and five participants engaged in two follow-up focus groups. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: identity conflict (unaffirming and oppressive contexts, lack of resources to explore identity) and identity coherence (resources used to manage and facilitate identity coherence; acceptance, affirmation, and harmony; and centrality and salience of sexual identity within identity configurations). Findings have implications for the study of sexual identity development within the context of other domains of identity.

Thematic Analysis of My “Coming Out” Experiences Through an Intersectional Lens: An Autoethnographic Study

“…However, though Erikson categorizes the adolescent stage as a stage for identity development, one considers whether the narrative development of LGBTQ identity spans beyond the adolescent stage of psychosocial development. Parmenter et al (2020b) sought to understand identity development amongst young adults and found that, though participants were 20-25 years old therefore categorized as young adults in Erikson's intimacy versus isolation stage of development (Erikson, 1982), findings highlighted LGBTQ young adults' experiences of identity conflict and exploration. LGBTQ young adults expressed identity consolidation and conflicts in integrating their LGBTQ identity across their lives (Wagaman et al, 2016;Parmenter et al, 2020b).…”

“…Parmenter et al (2020b) sought to understand identity development amongst young adults and found that, though participants were 20-25 years old therefore categorized as young adults in Erikson's intimacy versus isolation stage of development (Erikson, 1982), findings highlighted LGBTQ young adults' experiences of identity conflict and exploration. LGBTQ young adults expressed identity consolidation and conflicts in integrating their LGBTQ identity across their lives (Wagaman et al, 2016;Parmenter et al, 2020b). Particularly for LGBTQ young adults with intersecting ethnic or religious identities, their young adult experiences of identity integration were highly distressing and resulted in identity confusion (i.e., identity suppression, compartmentalization, and separation) and decreased levels of life satisfaction (Wagaman et al, 2016;Parmenter et al, 2020b).…”

“…LGBTQ young adults expressed identity consolidation and conflicts in integrating their LGBTQ identity across their lives (Wagaman et al, 2016;Parmenter et al, 2020b). Particularly for LGBTQ young adults with intersecting ethnic or religious identities, their young adult experiences of identity integration were highly distressing and resulted in identity confusion (i.e., identity suppression, compartmentalization, and separation) and decreased levels of life satisfaction (Wagaman et al, 2016;Parmenter et al, 2020b). As Erikson's stages of psychosocial development has been understood as one of the classic stage theories of development, many researchers turn to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, specifically Erikson's adolescent identity achievement versus conflict stage, to understand identity development in adolescents (Rageliene, 2016).…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Frustration From the Perspective of Emerging Adults

“…Qualitative researches have studied understanding of experiences of the concept of frustration from a stance of emerging adults. Qualitative studies have permitted vast insight and understanding into complicated human behaviour compared to surveys and different quantitative measures of personal experiences (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000;Parmenter, Galliher, Yaugher, & Maughan, 2020). Izard (1993) proposed four components of the emotion model (subjective experience, physiological response, social expressive, purposive) for studying and understanding frustration employed in this study.…”

Contextual Navigation: Towards a Holistic Conceptualization of Negotiating Sexual Identity in Context

“…While there has been increased awareness and affirmation of LGBTQ+ identities, LGBTQ+ individuals still experience discrimination within mainstream cis-heterodominant cultural spaces and feel motivated to conceal their identity to maintain safety. Research on LGBTQ+ individuals, especially LGBTQ+ emerging adults (Garvey et al, 2019; Parmenter et al, 2022; Peña-Talamantes, 2013), documents the impacts of oppressive sociocultural contexts on LGBTQ+ identity processes. Research on sexual identity development should begin to incorporate the process of negotiating (e.g., concealing or disclosing) sexual identity within the cis-heterodominant culture while maintaining and nurturing marginalized LGBTQ+ identities.…”