Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

John Astin

Abstract

Limited research describes the impact of ethnic groups and mores, especially those of Asian ethnicities, on the development of a global queering theory of sexual-identity development. The purpose of this grounded-theory study was to investigate the sexual-identity development of homosexuals in a non-Western collectivist culture and the extent of influence Western gay expatriates have on Chinese gay males' sexual-identity development. Five identity-development models served as the theoretical foundations of this study: Cass, Troiden, McCarn and Fassinger, D'Augelli, Gock, and the conceptual theory of global queering. NVivo aided in data organization, while coding and analysis were applied to the data. Individual, Skype interviews were held with 22 Chinese gay men. Participants explained how Western influence changed and was adapted to cultural norms even when no similarities emerged in the combining cultures. This research increases understanding of collectivist cultures and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities embedded in them. Understanding can create positive social change affecting the coming-out process, cultural diffusion, and same-sex couples in collectivist cultures. This study may spur a call for additional research into LGBT communities globally on sexual-identity development, particularly in relation to race and culture.

Download

Share

 
COinS