Coleman and Remafedi

disease prevention efforts and their implications for AIDS health education. Health Education Quarterly, 13, 301-316.

Troiden, R.R. (1988). Homosexual identity development. In G. Remafedi (Ed.), Special section on adolescent homosexuality. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 9(2), 105-113.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1987). Report of the surgeon general's workshop on children with HIV infection and their families. (DHHS Publication No. HRS-D-MC 87-1). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 70.

Zenilman, J. (1988). Sexually transmitted diseases in homosexual adolescents. In G. Remafedi (Ed.), Special section on adolescent homosexuality. Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 9(2), 129–138.

RESOURCES FOR GAY AND LESBIAN YOUTH, PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

Organizations

1. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Adolescence, 141 Northwest Point Blvd., P.O. Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927 (800-433-9016).

2. National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation Directory, P.O. Box 65427, Washington, DC 20035 (202)797-3708.

3. Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Inc., Parent's FLAG, P.O. Box 20308, Denver, CO 80220 (303321-2270).

4. National Gay and Lesbian Crisis Line: 800-221-7044 (3:009:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time). In New York, Alaska, and Hawaii: 212-329-1604.

5. International Gay Youth Information Pool (IGYIP), P.0. Box 1303, Vika N-0112, Oslo 1, Norway.

6. Special gay and lesbian outreach programs within major religious denominations.

7. Local gay and lesbian community groups.

8. Local lesbian and gay youth groups.

Articles, Books, and Videos

1. Borhek, M.V. (1983). My son, Eric. New York: The Pilgrim Press. A conservative, religious [sic] parent's account of learning that her son was gay.

2. Borhek, M.V. (1983). Coming out to parents: A two-way survival guide for lesbians and gay men and their parents. New York:

The Pilgrim Press. Supportive advice to parents and gay and lesbian persons about the coming out process.

3. Brown, R.M. (1973). Rubyfruit jungle. New York: Daughters Publishing Co. An amusing and touching novel about a girl growing up lesbian.

4. Fairchild, B., & Hayward, N. (1979). Now that you know: What every parent should know about homosexuality. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Description of general aspects of homosexuality and a recounting of individuals' disclosures of their sexual orientation to their parents.

5. Frieke, A. (1981). Reflections of a rock lobster: A story about growing up. Boston: Alyson. A compelling personal account of life as a gay adolescent, written by the young man who made national headlines by bringing a date to his high school prom.

6. Herron, A. (1983). One teenager in ten: Writings by gay and lesbian youth. Boston: Alyson. A collection of letters and essays contributed by lesbian and gay teenagers.

7. Remafedi, G. (1987). Homosexuality: The adolescent's perspective. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota. (30-minute videotape, color.) An educational videotape for professionals, students, and lesbian and gay teenagers, featuring six lesbian and gay adolescents who discuss their lives and experiences. Available through the University of Minnesota, Media Distribution, Box 734 UMHC, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-7906).

8. Scanzoni, J., & Mollenkott, V.R. (1978). Is the homosexual my neighbor? San Francisco: Harper & Row. A positive and religious view and general information about homosexuality.

This information was reprinted from J. West & G. Remafedi (in press). Gay and lesbian youth: Their comprehensive care in pediatric practice. Contemporary Pediatrics.

Eli Coleman is an associate professor in the Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Gary Remafedi is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, and the medical coordinator for the Adolescent Health Program, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota. Correspondence regarding this article should be sent to Eli Coleman, Program in Human Sexuality, Dept. of Family Practice and Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 2630 University Avenue, SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

JOURNAL OF COUNSELING & DEVELOPMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 VOL. 68

Psychological Adjustment of Lesbians

and Gay Men

JEANNE MIRANDA and MICHEAL STORMS Previous research has documented that lesbians and gay men proceed through a series of stages in developing a positive lesbian and gay identity. The relationship between lesbian and gay identity and subsequent psychological adjustment has not been evaluated. These empirical studies found that positive lesbian and gay identity is related to psychological adjustment as measured by lower neurotic anxiety and greater ego strength in both an older and a younger sample of lesbians and gay men. Two coping strategies-self-labeling as a homosexual and self-disclosure of sexual orientation to others-were related to development of a positive lesbian or gay identity. These findings suggest that development of a positive lesbian or gay identity is an important task in promoting the psychological adjustment of lesbians and gay men.

his research examines the relationship between lesbian and gay identity and psychological adjustment of lesbians human potential movement, have proposed that development of a positive lesbian or gay identity, that is, acceptance of and satisfaction with one's sexual orientation, promotes psychological adjustment (e.g., Altman, 1971; Beane, 1981; Cass, 1979; Sophie, 1987; Troiden, 1979). Thus, lesbian and gay identity may be an important aspect of the psychological adjustment of lesbians and gay men.

Two coping strategies-self-labeling and self-disclosuremay be related to positive lesbian and gay identity. First, self-labeling as a homosexual is frequently considered by clinicians to be an effective coping strategy in the development of a positive lesbian or gay identity (e.g., Beane, 1981; Nuehring, Fein, & Tyler, 1974; Sophie, 1982). Without self-labeling, sexual feelings are partitioned from sexual identity, causing a lack of continuity and integration of self-images (Erikson, 1968; Hauser, 1971). A second coping strategy, self-disclosure, or coming out, is also considered by clinicians to be important in achieving a positive identity (Coleman, 1982; de Monteflores & Schultz, 1978). Without this interpersonal adaptation, conflict between social demands and internal feelings may cause distress. Thus, self-labeling may be an important intrapsychic strategy and self-disclosure may be an important interpersonal strategy related to positive lesbian and gay identity.

not strongly committed to it report greater loneliness, depression, and anxiety than do more committed homosexuals. Saghir and Robins (1973), however, failed to find such a relationship with either anxiety or depression in a similar study. Thus, the relationship between lesbian and gay identity and psychological adjustment has not yet been established.

Study I examines the relationship of positive lesbian and gay identity, as measured by satisfaction with sexual orientation, and psychological adjustment, as measured by neuroticism and ego strength, in lesbians and gay men who are patrons of a midwestern gay bar or who belong to social networks within the area. In addition, two coping strategiesself-labeling and self-disclosure are examined to determine their relationship to positive lesbian and gay identity and positive psychological adjustment. Study II replicates the findings of Study I in a younger sample of college students.

Participants

METHOD: STUDY I

One hundred participants (50 men, 50 women) completed a battery of questionnaires described below. Participants were selected by two methods. First, 78 patrons of a gay bar in a midwestern city (population 125,000) were approached as they entered the bar; 74 agreed to participate, and 71 (42 men, 29 women) adequately completed the questionnaires. An additional 29 participants (8 men, 21 women) were obtained through a friendship network of lesbians and gay men within a 50-mile radius of the city. Each participant was told that a study of lesbians and gay men, evaluating aspects of their lifestyles and adjustments, was being conducted. Participants ranged in age from 16 years to 57 years; mean age was 30 (SD=9.12). Participants had an average of 14.9 (SD = 2.2) years of education; 37% were employed as professionals, 28% were employed as semiprofessionals, 19% were employed as skilled laborers, 4% were employed as unskilled laborers, and 12% were unemployed.

Measures

The questionnaire in this study contained 103 items and took approximately 1 hour to complete.

Demographics. First, participants were asked to report their age, sex, educational attainment, and current occupational category.

Although several research studies have documented that many lesbians and gay men do proceed through a series of stages in developing a positive lesbian or gay identity (e.g., Lee, 1977; Troiden, 1979), the relationship between this identity and psychological adjustment has not been determined. In fact, previous research provides only tangential evidence that lesbian or gay identity is related to psychological adjustment, and the results of this research are inconsistent. Weinberg and his colleagues (Bell & Weinberg, 1978; Weinberg & Williams, 1974) found that persons who either regret their homosexuality or are JOURNAL OF COUNSELING & DEVELOPMENT SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1989 VOL. 68

Lesbian and gay identity. Participants were asked about their acceptance of their sexual orientation. They responded on a single-item scale ranging from 1 = extremely unhappy and unsatisfied to 7=extremely happy and satisfied.

Self-label. The participants' self-label was assessed by a