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Developmental issues faced by gay Chinese Singaporean men towards healthy psychological integration
Author
Poopalasingam, Clarence
Supervisor
Tan, Wee Kiat
Abstract
The review of the literature indicates the existence of a number of gay identity integration models. The earlier models tended to treat sexual orientation as essential to the individual and developed as the individual progressed through sequential stages of identity integration. Later models ("Alternative Models") operated from a social constructionist paradigm and rejected the notion of homosexual identity development as progressing through sequential stages. These Alternative Models of gay identity integration incorporated premises from social identity theory as well as discourse analysis.
There is a dearth of psychology based studies on the Singaporean gay community which this study attempts to plug. A sample of twenty two self-identified gay Singaporean Chinese men were interviewed using a semi-structured interview based on McAdams (1993) life story analysis. The qualitative data gleaned from the interviews were coded using grounded theory analysis to ascertain the developmental issues experienced by these men in their journey towards healthy gay identity integration.
The study found that for most homosexual men gay identity integration progresses along three phases of Pre-Realization, Identity Dissonance and Integration. Two transition points - Realization and Acceptance separate the phases. Key developmental issues encountered include socialization, sexualization, significant others such as mentors and guides and coming out. The study also explored the role of the Internet, existence of sexual addiction and heterosexual marriage in the gay identity integration process. Identity Dissonance which was experienced by most of the interviewees represents the internalized homophobia absorbed by the individual from his socio-cultural surroundings. Most often the Identity Dissonance was caused by religious factors and perceived heteronormative mores of society.
Approximately a third of the interviewees did not experience any significant internalized homonegativity (i.e. identity Dissonance). For these individuals the progression from Realization of same sex attraction to Integration of same gender attraction was generally smoother.
Throughout the study explorations are made on the impact of issues faced in the growth towards identity integration and the psychotherapeutic implication arising therefrom. These explorations are illustrated with actual counseling case vignettes where appropriate.
The study concludes with a tentative model of gay identity development that seeks to incorporate the progression of the Stage/Coming Out models with the social constructionist perspectives of the Alternative Models. The theoretical basis used for proposing this tentative model is the narrative basis of the development of the self.
There is a dearth of psychology based studies on the Singaporean gay community which this study attempts to plug. A sample of twenty two self-identified gay Singaporean Chinese men were interviewed using a semi-structured interview based on McAdams (1993) life story analysis. The qualitative data gleaned from the interviews were coded using grounded theory analysis to ascertain the developmental issues experienced by these men in their journey towards healthy gay identity integration.
The study found that for most homosexual men gay identity integration progresses along three phases of Pre-Realization, Identity Dissonance and Integration. Two transition points - Realization and Acceptance separate the phases. Key developmental issues encountered include socialization, sexualization, significant others such as mentors and guides and coming out. The study also explored the role of the Internet, existence of sexual addiction and heterosexual marriage in the gay identity integration process. Identity Dissonance which was experienced by most of the interviewees represents the internalized homophobia absorbed by the individual from his socio-cultural surroundings. Most often the Identity Dissonance was caused by religious factors and perceived heteronormative mores of society.
Approximately a third of the interviewees did not experience any significant internalized homonegativity (i.e. identity Dissonance). For these individuals the progression from Realization of same sex attraction to Integration of same gender attraction was generally smoother.
Throughout the study explorations are made on the impact of issues faced in the growth towards identity integration and the psychotherapeutic implication arising therefrom. These explorations are illustrated with actual counseling case vignettes where appropriate.
The study concludes with a tentative model of gay identity development that seeks to incorporate the progression of the Stage/Coming Out models with the social constructionist perspectives of the Alternative Models. The theoretical basis used for proposing this tentative model is the narrative basis of the development of the self.
Date Issued
2003
Call Number
HQ76.2.S55 Poo
Date Submitted
2003