RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
PDF-1(462.43 KB)
TitleThe invisible men
NameKenny, Gavin (author), Riggs Skean, Karen (chair), Boyd-Franklin, Nancy (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology,
Degree Date2012-10
Date Created2012
SubjectClinical Psychology,
Gay men--Identity,
Young gay men--Psychology,
Psychotherapy patients--Case studies
DescriptionThere is relatively little research and literature on the psychosocial development of gay males. This qualitative study explores the developmental experiences of gay males, as expressed by adult gay male patients, ages 20 to 29, in psychotherapy. Three composite cases were created, drawing upon data from real psychotherapy cases from clinical training experiences, published clinical examples, and fictional details to protect patients’ confidentiality. Each of these cases is presented as one key aspect or category of gay male development: validation, belonging, and identity development. Particular attention is paid to these formative developmental experiences. Case material is analyzed qualitatively, through the method of experiential phenomenology, or phenomenology of practice, as explicated by Richards and Morse (2007), van Manen (2007), and van den Berg (1972). The lived experiences of the three cases are addressed phenomenologically. The following themes emerged: (a) dissociation, (b) hypervigilance, (c) anxiety, (d) microaggression, (e) shame, (f) true self/false self, (g) avoidance of self, and (h) invisibility. Implications for psychotherapy with gay male patients are explored and limitations of the study discussed.
NotePsy. D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Gavin Kenny
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001800001.ETD.000066516
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.