Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Social Welfare
Advisor
Juan Battle
Committee Members
Harriet Goodman
Barbra Teater
Subject Categories
Social Work
Keywords
gay, bisexual, men, life satisfaction, race
Abstract
Although the literature is replete with evidence showing that gay and bisexual men experience higher rates of negative outcomes than their heterosexual counterparts, the literature exploring the well-being of this population is limited. Life satisfaction is a key aspect of well-being. There has been little research on the factors influencing life satisfaction for gay and bisexual men. Additionally, how these factors may vary by race for this population remains understudied. This gap in our knowledge impedes the ability of social workers to support gay and bisexual men in increasing life satisfaction. In addition, knowledge of how these factors vary by race would facilitate more effective interventions.
Using minority stress theory and intersectionality theory as theoretical frameworks, this dissertation uses hierarchical ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and data from Generations: A Study of the Life and Health of LGB People in a Changing Society, United States, 2016-2019, conducted by the Williams Institute, to examine the relative impact of key variables on the life satisfaction of gay and bisexual men. Further, this study examines these effects separately for gay and bisexual White men and for gay and bisexual men of Color.
Of the twenty-one independent variables analyzed in this study, ten showed a significant relationship with life satisfaction for gay and bisexual White men: Mental Health, Suicidal Thoughts Once, Suicidal Thoughts Twice+, Suicide Attempt Once, Suicide Attempts Twice+, Internalized Heterosexism, Outness, Community Belonging, Age and Household Income. However, of these ten, only three showed significant impact on the life satisfaction of the gay and bisexual men of Color: Mental Health, Internalized Heterosexism and Outness.
Based on this study’s findings, limitations and implications of the study are reviewed and recommendations are made for future research.
Recommended Citation
Considine, Robert G., "Factors Associated with the Life Satisfaction of Gay and Bisexual Men and Their Variation by Race" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5340