The Effects of Simultaneous Developmental Processes: Factors Relating to the Career Development of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

C. Hetherington (1991) hypothesized that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents may experience a “bottleneck effect” in career development because of internal psychological energy focusing on issues surrounding sexual identity. This assertion has not yet been tested, however, in the career development literature. The authors examined the relationship between variables indicative of psychological resources being devoted to managing an LGB identity, social support, and career development. Survey data from 102 LGB youth demonstrated that inner sexual identity conflict and social support predicted unique and shared variance in career maturity and vocational indecision, lending empirical support to the bottleneck hypothesis.

Exploring the Mental Health of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…This study contributes to early-stage exploration of mental health influencing factors among this population by qualitatively formulating preliminary categories and thematic domains, many of which have to some degree been alluded to in the literature for either black populations or MSM populations, but very few for black MSM in particular. Findings of this study, in large part corroborate previous studies concerning discrimination, violence, and identity development (Fife and Wright, 2000;Finch et al 2000;Kessler et al 1999;Mays and Cochran 2001;Sell 1997;Cross 1995;Helms 1993;Schmidt and Nilsson 2006;Cass 1979;McCarn and Fassinger 1996). Additionally, this study adds new evidence to the scant knowledge base of attitudes, beliefs, relationship dimensions, and mental distress presentation among this population.…”

The Influences of Career Support and Sexual Identity on Sexual Minority Women's Career Aspirations

“…Step 1 utes to the extant literature that indicates that support positively influences individuals' career development (Boatwright et al, 1996;Flores & O'Brien, 2002;Hackett, Betz, Casas, & Rocha-Singh, 1992;Lent et al, 1994Lent et al, , 2002Quimby & O'Brien, 2004;Schaefers, Epperson, & Nauta, 1997); however, this study is unique because it was focused on the experiences of adult sexual minority women, as compared with previous studies that have been focused on the career development of LGB college and high school students (Nauta, Saucier, & Woodard, 2001;Schmidt & Nilsson, 2006). Additionally, these prior studies have also examined support more broadly, whereas this study explored support as it relates specifically to a woman's career.…”

Career development and counselling needs of LGBTQ high school students

“…Secondly, this ensures that LGBTQ students are not focusing all their energy into one aspect of their life-career experience at the expense of the other. Understanding the relationship between sexual identity and career concerns allows the counsellor to be better equipped to guide LGBTQ students through these key developmental tasks intertwined in life-careers (Schmidt & Nilsson, 2006).…”