Date of Conferral

8-7-2024

Date of Award

August 2024

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Julie Lindahl

Abstract

The research problem in this study was the lack of research conducted on the psychological victimization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, and other (LGBTQIA+) individuals who may have experienced relational bullying by other sexual minorities. Unfortunately, relational bullying is not viewed as being as detrimental as physical, verbal, and cyberbullying. The purpose of this study was to explore sexual minorities’ experiences with relational bullying at the hands of other sexual minorities. Research has shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience physical, verbal, and cyberbullying behavior from their family, friends, and peers. However, there was limited research on how they experience relational bullying from other LGBTQIA+ individuals. Two theoretical frameworks, minority stress theory and social identity theory, were utilized to address the research questions to explore if sexual minorities experience relational bullying by other LGBTQIA+ individuals and the physical and/or psychological issues from this victimization. A qualitative methodology with a phenomenological approach was used for this study. Nine participants partook in an individual interview to address the research question of whether they have experienced relational bullying by another sexual minority. The results found that none of the participants experienced relational bullying. However, there were some participants who witnessed relational aggression or bullying in either a social setting or a work setting. The findings of this study may promote a positive social change by showing the seriousness of relational bullying and its impact on an individual’s mental and physical health.

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