First Advisor

Parnell, Kenneth

First Committee Member

Tian, Lu

Second Committee Member

Murdock-Bishop, Jennifer

Third Committee Member

Moore, Mel

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

8-2025

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

Abstract

While the impact of LGBQ+ individuals experiencing overt, interpersonal discrimination (i.e., heterosexism) is well-documented, the propensity for stigmatization, invisibilization, and violence to be internalized by LGBQ+ has only recently been examined as a factor contributing to poorer health outcomes. Internalized heterosexism (IH) was defined as the consumption and internalization of negative societal attitudes, assumptions, and beliefs towards homosexuality by LGBQ+ individuals and was linked to multiple forms of psychological distress. However, the methodological and clinical gaps in the research contributed to a clinical utility that was lacking for multiply marginalized LGBQ+ individuals. The purpose of this study aimed to understand the LGBQ+ experience of IH and the potential relevance of intersectionality as a mitigating factor in the experience, to address the need for intervention consistent with the systemic nature of IH, and to lay the foundation for intervention rooted in community strength and resiliency. Eight LGBQ+ participants with at least one other marginalized identity were interviewed to explore the following research questions: (a) how LGBQ+ individuals engage with internalized heterosexism, (b) how might intersectionality impact the experience of internalized heterosexism, and (c) what LGBQ+ individuals do to challenge or cope with internalized heterosexism. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, 4 superordinate and 19 sub-themes were identified. These findings articulated specific forms of heterosexist messaging including self-invisibilizing, self-alienation, shame, and compensatory strategies, the quality of IH derived from heterosexist iii messaging, the role of intersecting identities including its intersections with anti-LGBQ+ rhetoric and creation of barriers to LGBQ+ identity development, and avenues for coping, challenging, and unlearning IH. These findings reinforce the necessity to evaluate IH as a systemic phenomenon, the role of intersecting identities on the trajectory of LGBQ+ identity development, and the resilience cultivated within multiply marginalized LGBQ+ communities. Implications for clinical practice was discussed.

Abstract Format

html

Places

Greeley, Colorado

Extent

230 pages

Local Identifiers

Bortfeld_unco_0161D_11353.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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