University of SaskatchewanHARVEST
  • Login
  • Submit Your Work
  • About
    • About HARVEST
    • Guidelines
    • Browse
      • All of HARVEST
      • Communities & Collections
      • By Issue Date
      • Authors
      • Titles
      • Subjects
      • This Collection
      • By Issue Date
      • Authors
      • Titles
      • Subjects
    • My Account
      • Login
      JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
      View Item 
      • HARVEST
      • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      • View Item
      • HARVEST
      • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      • View Item

      “It Totally Sucked the Happy out of the Gay”: Coming Out in Rural Newfoundland

      Thumbnail
      View/Open
      ROBERTS-THESIS-2020.pdf (1.468Mb)
      Date
      2020-09-28
      Author
      Roberts, Brittany F
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Masters
      Metadata
      Show full item record
      Abstract
      The coming out process for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals has been found to significantly impact psychological well-being. Past research suggests that self-disclosing one’s sexual orientation is a major developmental milestone for sexual minorities that can be hindered by the coming out experience. Individuals who experience positive reactions to coming out have been found to have an increased sense of belonging and self-esteem and less mental health concerns. In contrast, individuals who experience negative reactions to coming out have reported an increase in depressive symptoms, substance abuse, incidents of self-harm, and suicidal behaviours. Past research indicates that negative reactions to coming out can significantly compromise both physical and psychological well-being. The present study explored the coming out experiences and psychological well-being of six LGB individuals from rural locations in Newfoundland. Data collected was analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009) and revealed four themes: (i) Fear of Rejection/Negative Repercussions; (ii) Living a Lie; (iii) Masking the Pain; and (iv) Finding Light in the Darkness. This study contributed to current literature regarding coming out in rural areas. Moreover, it contributed to the limited literature existing on coming out in rural Newfoundland. This study highlighted the many challenges faced by LGB individuals from this rural area and also provided insight into the impact of those challenges on psychological well-being. The implications of the research and considerations for future research are discussed.
      Degree
      Master of Education (M.Ed.)
      Department
      Educational Psychology and Special Education
      Program
      School and Counselling Psychology
      Supervisor
      Martin, Stephanie
      Committee
      Wilson, Alex; Murphy, Shaun; McIntyre, Laureen
      Copyright Date
      September 2020
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/13072
      Subject
      coming out, self-disclose, LGB, psychological well-being, rural, urban
      Collections
      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
      University of Saskatchewan

      University Library

      The University of Saskatchewan's main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

      © University of Saskatchewan
      Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy