21st Annual Student Research Conference
Homosexuality in Adolescence Described
Greg A. Wisa
Dr. Stephen Hadwiger, Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of what it means to be homosexual during adolescence. The research methodology used for this project was the Vancouver School method of phenomenology. Participants in this study were recruited from a downtown youth group for homosexual teens in St. Louis. Ten teenagers were interviewed about their experiences of being homosexual. These interviews took approximately fifteen to twenty minutes each and were transcribed and reviewed several times to extract common themes. Themes established included a two-step coming out process, coming out to a significant other, early recognition of homosexuality by others, and the feeling of being a "normal" teenager. Using these themes, a meaningful description of the lived experience of being homosexual during adolescence was constructed and confirmed with the study participants.
Keywords: homosexuality, sexual orientation, adolescence, phenomenology, lived experience
Topic(s):Nursing
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 22-2
Location: VH 1320
Time: 10:00