DATA COLLECTION FOR THIS STUDY HAS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT SMCCART@BGNET.BGSU.EDU. THANK YOU!!! Experiences and Beliefs of Same-Sex Attracted Young Adults BGSU HSRB - Approved for use - ID H08D120GX2 Information Sheet PROJECT TITLE Experiences and Beliefs of Same-Sex Attracted Young Adults DESCRIPTION OF STUDY’S PURPOSE I am a graduate student in clinical psychology at Bowling Green State University, and you are being asked to participate in my dissertation study. My study is designed to help me understand the experiences of men and women 18-24 years old who experience some aspect of same-sex attraction, such as physical attraction, fantasy, sexual behavior, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ) identity. I am especially interested in understanding the religious and/or spiritual experiences of these individuals, regardless of whether they have a strong sense of spirituality or not. The knowledge gained through this research will help to educate the public and professionals who interact with people who have same-sex attraction. WHAT YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DO In this study you will be asked to access a website and complete a series of questionnaires. The online survey includes questions about how other people have treated you, your religious and spiritual experiences, how you feel about your sexual identity, and your personal well-being. You will also be asked to answer questions about your age, education, income, and living situation. Some questions ask you to provide personal feelings about yourself. Although I expect that it will take no longer than 30 minutes for you to complete this survey, you may spend as much time as you need to complete it. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION By participating in this study, you will be helping me better understand the experiences of young people like you. The knowledge gained through this research will help to educate the public and professionals who interact with people who have same-sex attraction. It is my hope that this research will promote community awareness and growth toward understanding same-sex attracted individuals. RISKS OF PARTICIPATION By participating in this study, the anticipated risks to you are no greater than those normally encountered in daily life. However, some questions ask about experiences that might be upsetting to you. If you find that you are distressed and in need of help, please contact your local mental health agency. Also, if you are so distressed that you feel like hurting yourself, you can go to your nearest emergency room or contact the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE, and they will put you in touch with a local certified crisis center (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). CONFIDENTIALITY You should be aware that you should take proper precautions to make sure the information you provide online cannot be viewed by others. First, if you complete the survey at work, please be aware that some employers use tracking software to monitor and record keystrokes, mouse clicks, and web sites visited. This could impact the confidentiality of your responses. Therefore, you are advised to complete the survey on your home computer or a public computer to protect your privacy. Further, please remember to clear your browser’s cache and page history after you submit the survey in order to protect your privacy. The survey you are being asked to complete does not ask you to provide any identifying information. When you submit the survey, I will have no way of knowing who you are. Therefore, participation in this study is completely anonymous. Further, the information you provide will be kept private. Only my research advisor and I will have access to the information you provide. YOUR RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT Your participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you can refrain from answering any questions without penalty or explanation. You are free to withdraw consent and to discontinue participation in the project at any time. To do so, simply close the web browser (but remember to clear the browser’s cache and history). You have a right to have all of your questions concerning this study to be answered by me, the researcher. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the study before you complete the online survey. Also, you may request a copy of the results of the study. Use my contact information below if you have questions or if you would like to request a copy of the results. If you wish to keep a copy of this information sheet for your records, please print this page now. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS STUDY If you have questions about the study, you may contact me, Shauna McCarthy, Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology, at (419) 320-2518 or smccart@bgnet.bgsu.edu. You may also contact my advisor Eric Dubow, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at (419) 372-2556 or edubow@bgnet.bgsu.edu. If you have questions about the conduct of this study or your rights as a research participant, you may contact the Chairperson, Human Subjects Review Board, at (419) 372-7716. HOW TO PARTICIPATE By completing this questionnaire and submitting it (i.e., clicking the “SUBMIT” button at the end of the survey), you are indicating your consent to participate in this study.   Please select one of the following to indicate whether you wish to participate and then click “NEXT.”   I have read the information above, including the risks and benefits of participating in this project, and I agree to participate. (Clicking this option will take you to the survey.)   I do not agree to participate in this project. (Clicking this option will take you to an information page.)   Experiences and Beliefs of Same-Sex Attracted Young Adults Survey Introduction The following questions ask about a wide variety of topics, including your experiences, beliefs, and feelings. Some relate to your spiritual and/or religious experiences. You might or might not consider yourself to be a spiritual or religious person. However, we are interested in responses from everybody, from those who are very religious or spiritual to those who are not religious or spiritual. Also, some questions ask about your sexual orientation. You might not be sure what your sexual orientation is, or you might have a strong sexual orientation identification. We are interested in learning about your experiences regardless of how you identify yourself. Please answer all of the questions the best that you can based on your own experiences. Please answer the following questions by either filling in the blank or circling the answer that best describes you. Q1 How old are you? Q2 What was your biological sex at birth?   Female Male Intersex Q3 Which of the following best describes you?   Male (born biologically male and identify as male) Female (born biologically female and identify as female) Intersex Male to female transgender (pre-operative or not planning to have the operation) Female to male transgender (pre-operative or not planning to have the operation) Male to female post-operative transsexual Female to male post-operative transsexual Other Q4 Please specify "Other." Q5 Please indicate your ethnicity (mark all that apply)   Native American or American Eskimo Native Hawaiian or part-Native Hawaiian Caucasian or White African-American Hispanic or Latin American Asian Pacific Islander Other Q6 Please specify "Other." Q7 What is the last year of education that you have completed?   Some high-school High-school diploma Some college 4 year college degreee Some graduate school Graduate or Professional degree Q8 What is your estimated yearly household income?   $14,999 or less $15,000 to $29,999 $30,000 to $44,999 $45,000 to $59,999 $60,000 to $74,999 $75,000 or more Q9 What is the size of the community you live in?   Urban (population of 150,000 or more) Suburban (population greater than 15,000 but smaller than 150,000) Rural (15,000 or less) Q10 Which of the following best describes your relationship status?   Single, not dating Single and dating In a committed long-term relationship, domestic partnership, civil union or marriage Separated from a partner with whom I had a committed relationship, domestic partnership, civil union or marriage Divorced from a partner with whom I had a committed relationship, domestic partnership, civil union or marriage Widowed Q11 Where did you first hear about this study?   College LGBTQ association Gay.com Gaywebmonkey.com Gaywired.com GLBTQ.com Myspace.com Facebook.com Logo.com Outsource.com Mogenic.com XY.com Planetout.com Gownelink.com Advocate.com Outmagazine.com Message Boards (e.g., Yahoo!, The Advocate) Msn.com Other Webzines Personal Blog Search engine (e.g., Google, AskJeeves) Yahoo! Newsgroup Other Q12 Please specify "Other." Q13 With what sexual orientation do you currently most identify yourself?   Heterosexual Gay or Lesbian Bisexual Queer Don’t know or not sure Other Q14 Please specify "Other." Q15 What is the gender of the people with which you currently prefer to have physically intimate and/or sexual relationships?   I prefer not to be physically/sexually intimate with anyone I prefer to be physically/sexually intimate with only males. I prefer to be physically/sexually intimate with only females. I prefer to be physically/sexually intimate with both males and females. Q16 What is the gender of the people with which you currently prefer to have emotionally/ romantically intimate relationships?   I prefer not to have emotionally/romantically intimate relationships with anyone. I prefer to have emotionally/romantically intimate relationships with only males. I prefer to have emotionally/romantically intimate relationships with only females I prefer to have emotionally/romantically intimate relationships with both males and females. Q17 What is the gender of the people that you currently feel sexually attracted to?   I am not sexually attracted to anyone. I am sexually attracted to only males. I am sexually attracted to only females. I am sexually attracted to both males and females. Q18 What is the gender of the people that you currently have sexual fantasies about?   I do not have sexual fantasies about anyone. I have sexual fantasies about only males. I have sexual fantasies about only females. I have sexual fantasies about both males and females. Q19 What is the gender of the people that you have ever had any physically intimate/sexual contact with at any time in your life?   I have never had physically intimate or sexual contact with anyone. I have had physically intimate or sexual contact with only males. I have had physically intimate or sexual contact with only females. I have had physically intimate or sexual contact with both males and females. Everybody has their own set of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices. You might consider yourself to be very religious or spiritual, or you might not consider yourself to be religious or spiritual at all. Also, your spirituality might have changed across your lifetime. We are interested in what your experience has been both as a child growing up and at your current age. Please answer the following questions as best as you can. Thinking about yourself as a child growing up, please answer the following questions: Q20 When you were growing up, what was your religious denomination? (Pick as many as apply)   Protestant Catholic Non-denominational Christian Jewish Muslim Wiccan/Pagan None Other Q21 Please specify "Other." Q22 When you were growing up, how often did you attend religious services?   Never Less than once a year About once or twice a year Several times a year About once a month 2-3 times a month Nearly every week Every week Several times a week Q23 When you were growing up, how often did you pray privately in places other than church or synagogue or temple?   Never Less than once a month About once a month A few times a month Once a week A few times a week Once a day More than once a day Q24 When you were growing up, to what extent did you consider yourself a religious person? Were you.....   Not at all religious Slightly religious Moderately religious Very religious Q25 When you were growing up, to what extent did you consider yourself a spiritual person? Were you.....   Not at all spiritual Slightly spiritual Moderately spiritual Very spiritual Thinking about yourself now, please answer the following questions Q26 Currently, what is your religious denomination? (Pick as many as apply)   Protestant Catholic Non-denominational Christian Jewish Muslim Wiccan/Pagan None Other Q27 Please specify "Other." Q28 Currently, how often do you attend religious services?   Never Less than once a year About once or twice a year Several times a year About once a month 2-3 times a month Nearly every week Every week Several times a week Q29 Currently, how often do you pray privately in places other than church or synagogue or temple?   Never Less than once a month About once a month A few times a month Once a week A few times a week Once a day More than once a day Q30 Currently, to what extent do you consider yourself a religious person? Are you.....   Not at all religious Slightly religious Moderately religious Very religious Q31 Currently, to what extent do you consider yourself a spiritual person? Are you.....   Not at all spiritual Slightly spiritual Moderately spiritual Very spiritual The next set of questions asks about experiences in which other people might have tried to hurt you in different ways because of your sexual orientation. Please rate how frequently each of the following groups of people have done these things to you because of your sexual orientation. Q32 Think about your peers (i.e., friends, acquaintances, classmates). In your lifetime, how many times have your peers done each of the following to you because of your sexual orientation?   Never   Once   Twice   Three or more   Verbal insults that were stated directly to you         Verbal insults that you overheard or were told about         Threats of violence         Threats to disclose your sexual orientation         Objects being thrown at you         Being punched, kicked, or beaten         Sexual assault (such as rape)         Threats of attack with a weapon or actual attack with a weapon       Q33 Now think about your family members (i.e., spouse/domestic partner, parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, and other relatives). In your lifetime, how many times have your family members done each of the following to you because of your sexual orientation?   Never   Once   Twice   Three or more   Verbal insults that were stated directly to you         Verbal insults that you overheard or were told about         Threats of violence         Threats to disclose your sexual orientation         Objects being thrown at you         Being punched, kicked, or beaten         Sexual assault (such as rape)         Threats of attack with a weapon or actual attack with a weapon       Q34 Now think about people in your community (i.e., co-workers, strangers, neighbors, people you interact with online). In your lifetime, how many times have your community members done each of the following to you because of your sexual orientation?   Never   Once   Twice   Three or more   Verbal insults that were stated directly to you         Verbal insults that you overheard or were told about         Threats of violence         Threats to disclose your sexual orientation         Objects being thrown at you         Being punched, kicked, or beaten         Sexual assault (such as rape)         Threats of attack with a weapon or actual attack with a weapon       Q35 Please indicate below how often, in your lifetime, you have heard or read each of the following statements from any source, such as family, friends, church members, clergy, religious texts (such as the Bible), newspapers, in church, or in religious education. Please rate how often you heard them, whether or not they were directed specifically toward you.   Never               Often   Homosexuals have declared war on religious morals.           Some homosexuals have greatly damaged the Church.           The failure of homosexuals to accept the Church’s teaching on sexual morality is an insult to religion.           Homosexual relationships violate the nature and purpose of marriage as defined by God.           Homosexuals do not respect religion.           Homosexuals represent a threat to the ultimate mission of religious groups. Never         Often   Homosexuals oppose the fundamental teachings of religion.           Homosexuals are a threat to marriage as defined by the Church.           Among themselves, homosexuals think religious people are ignorant for believing in the Church’s teaching on sexual morality.           Homosexuals believe the Church’s teaching on sexual morality is in error.         Q36 Please indicate to what extent you have heard the messages listed above from the following sources:   Never               Often   Peers (i.e., friends, acquaintances, classmates)           Family members (i.e., spouse/domestic partner, parents, siblings, aunts/ uncles, cousins, and other relatives)           People from your faith community, if you have one (i.e., community member, faith leader)           People from a faith community that you do not belong to (i.e., community member, faith leader)           Other people in your community (i.e., co-workers, strangers, neighbors, people you interact with online)           Media sources (e.g., television, radio, Internet, newspapers, billboards, fliers)         Q37 Earlier you answered questions about other people trying to hurt you with different actions, such as verbal insults or physical attacks, because of your sexual orientation. Think back to your experiences when different people in your life (i.e., peers, family, community members) did those things to you. Please pick the most difficult of those experiences and think about it. Write a few lines to describe what happened. Q38 Please rate how stressful this experience was for you at the time that it happened.   Not Stressful at all Slightly Stressful Moderately Stressful Very Stressful Q39 Please rate how stressful you find thinking about this experience to be at the present time.   Not Stressful at all Slightly Stressful Moderately Stressful Very Stressful Q40 Which of the following best describes the person who did this to you (please pick one)?   It was a family member (i.e., spouse/domestic partner, parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, and other relatives) It was a peer (i.e., friends, acquaintances, classmates) It was somebody from your faith community (i.e., community member, faith leader) It was somebody from a faith community that you do not belong to (i.e., community member, faith leader) It was another person from your community (i.e., co-workers, strangers, neighbors, people you interact with online) Q41 Which of the following best describes the main way that the person hurt you/tried to hurt you (please pick one)?   Verbally (with words) Physically (with their body or an object) Spiritually (with statements related to religion or spirituality) Q42 Now, thinking about the experience you described, please answer the following questions that ask you about the ways you coped with this event. We want to know to what extent you did what the item says - how much or how frequently. Don’t answer on the basis of what worked or not - just whether or not you did it. Make your answers as true FOR YOU as you can. In addition, a number of items use the word ‘God.’ If this word is not a comfortable one, please substitute another idea that calls to mind the Divine or holy for you.   Not at all   Slightly   Somewhat   Moderately   Strongly   Looked for a stronger connection with God           Sought God’s love and care           Sought help from God in letting go of my anger           Tried to put my plans into action together with God           Tried to see how God might be trying to strengthen me with the situation           Asked forgiveness for my sins           Focused on religion to stop worrying about my problems           Wondered whether God had abandoned me           Felt punished by God for my lack of devotion           Wondered what I did for God to punish me           Questioned God’s love for me           Wondered whether my religious community had abandoned me Not at all   Slightly   Somewhat   Moderately   Strongly   Decided the devil made this happen           Questioned the power of God           Bargained with God to make things better           Sought a stronger spiritual connection with other people           Looked for love and concern from the members of my religious community           Disagreed with what the church wanted me to do or believe           Felt my religious community seemed to be rejecting or ignoring me           Felt dissatisfaction with the clergy           Looked to God for a new direction in life           Prayed for a complete transformation of my life         Q43 Now still thinking about the event you described above, please answer the following questions. Please indicate how you have responded to the person who wronged or mistreated you in that situation. Mark how much you agree or disagree with each statement based on this specific experience.   Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Neither Agree nor Disagree   Agree   Strongly Agree   I can't stop thinking about how I was wronged by this person.           I wish for good thing to happen to the person who wronged me.           I spend time thinking about ways to get back at the person who wronged me.           I feel resentful toward the person who wronged me.           I avoid certain people and/or places because they remind me of the person who wronged me.           I pray for the person who wronged me.           If I encountered the person who wronged me I would feel at peace.           This person’s wrongful actions have kept me from enjoying life. Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Neither Agree nor Disagree   Agree   Strongly Agree   I have been able to let go of my anger toward the person who wronged me.           I become depressed when I think of how I was mistreated by this person.           I think that many of the emotional wounds related to this person’s wrongful actions have healed.           I feel hatred when I think about the person who wronged me.           I have compassion for the person who wronged me.           I think my life is ruined because of this person’s wrongful actions.           I hope the person who wronged me is treated fairly by others in the future.         Q44 Please think again about the experience that you described above. Rate how much you experienced each of the following as a result of the experience you described above. For each item, click the response that best reflects your experience.   Not at All   Somewhat   A great deal   I learned to be nicer to others.       I feel freer to make my own decisions.       I learned that I have something of value to teach others about life.       I learned to be myself and not try to be what others want me to be.       I learned to work through problems and not just give up.       I learned to find more meaning in life.       I learned how to reach out and help others.       I learned how to be a more confident person. Not at All   Somewhat   A great deal   I learned to listen more carefully when others talk to me.       I learned to be open to new information and ideas.       I learned to communicate more honestly with others.       I learned that I want to have some impact on the world.       I learned that it’s OK to ask others for help.       I learned to stand up for my personal rights.       I learned that there are more people who care about me than I thought.     Q45 In responding to the following items, think about how much you have changed in each of these areas as a result of the event you described above. If you are not comfortable with the word “God,” please substitute another idea that calls to mind the Divine or holy for you.   Extremely less   Quite a bit less   I did not change   Quite a bit more   Extremely more   Closeness to God           Closeness to my church or spiritual community           The importance of faith in my life         Earlier in the survey you indicated how you identify yourself in terms of your sexual orientation. The following questions ask you specifically about your experiences, beliefs, and feelings related to being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (LGBQ). Even if you do not specifically identify yourself as LGBQ, please answer these questions with respect to the LGBQ community. Q46 Use the response options below to indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.   Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Agree   Strongly Agree   I have spent time trying to find out more about the LGBQ community.         I am active in organizations or social groups that include mostly members who are LGBQ.         I have a clear sense of my LGBQ identity and what it means for me.         I think a lot about how my life will be affected by my identity as LGBQ.         I am happy that I am LGBQ.         I have a strong sense of belonging in the LGBQ community.         I understand pretty well what my LGBQ community membership means to me. Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Agree   Strongly Agree   In order to learn more about the LGBQ community, I have often talked to other people about being LGBQ.         I have a lot of pride about being LGBQ.         I participate in community events, such as LGBQ pride events.         I feel a strong attachment towards the LGBQ community.         I feel good about being LGBQ.       This next section asks questions about things you might believe or feel about your sexual orientation. When answering these questions, please think about the way you identify your sexual orientation and do your best to answer the questions. Some questions use the word “homosexual.” Even if you do not identify as “homosexual,” please answer the question the best you can. Q47 Please read each of the following statements carefully and then indicate if you strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, agree, or strongly agree with that particular statement. Give your first response and don’t spend too much time on any one item. Some statements may depict things that you have not experienced; please imagine yourself in those situations when answering those statements.   Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Somewhat Disagree   Somewhat Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree   I believe it is OK for people to be attracted to people of their own sex in an emotional way, but it’s not OK for them to have sex with each other.             When I think of my homosexuality, I feel depressed.             I believe that it is morally wrong for people to have sex with other people of their own sex.             I feel ashamed of my homosexuality.             When I think about my attraction towards people of my own sex, I feel unhappy.             When people around me talk about homosexuality, I get nervous. Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Somewhat Disagree   Somewhat Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree   I wish I could control my feelings of attraction toward people of my own sex.             I am disturbed when people can tell I’m homosexual.             In general, I believe that homosexuals are more immoral than heterosexuals.             Sometimes I get upset when I think about being attracted to people of my own sex.             In my opinion, homosexuality is harmful to the order of society. Strongly Disagree   Disagree   Somewhat Disagree   Somewhat Agree   Agree   Strongly Agree   Sometimes I feel that I might be better off dead than homosexual.             I sometimes resent my sexual orientation.             I believe it is morally wrong for people to be attracted to others of their own sex.             I sometimes feel that my homosexuality is embarrassing.             I believe it is unfair that I am attracted to my own rather than the opposite sex.           Q48 Please rate how familiar the people listed below are with your sexual orientation status and the extent to which you talk about your sexual orientation with them. If the item does not apply to you, please mark “N/A.”   Does not know about your sexual orientation status   Might know about your sexual orientation status, but it is never talked about   Probably knows about your sexual orientation status but it is never talked about   Probably knows about your sexual orientation status but it is rarely talked about   Definitely knows your sexual orientation status but it is never to rarely talked about   Definitely knows your sexual orientation status and it is sometimes talked about   Definitely knows about your sexual orientation status and it is openly talked about   This item is not applicable because I do not have a [this type of person]   Mother                 Father                 Siblings                 Straight friends                 LGBTQ friends                 Work/school peers                 Work/school supervisors/teachers                 Members of your faith community                 Leaders in your faith community               Q49 Below is a list of problems people sometimes have. Please read each one carefully, and click the response that best describes HOW MUCH THAT PROBLEM HAS DISTRESSED OR BOTHERED YOU DURING THE PAST 7 DAYS, INCLUDING TODAY. Mark only one response for each problem and do not skip any items.   Not at all   A little bit   Moderateky   Quite a bit   Extremely   Faintness or dizziness           Feeling no interest in things           Nervousness or shakiness inside           Pains in heart or chest           Feeling lonely           Feeling tense or keyed up           Nausea or upset stomach           Feeling blue           Suddenly scared for no reason           Trouble getting your breath Not at all   A little bit   Moderateky   Quite a bit   Extremely   Feelings of worthlessness           Spells of terror or panic           Numbness or tingling in parts of your body           Feeling hopeless about the future           Feeling so restless you couldn’t sit still           Feeling weak in parts of your body           Thoughts of ending your life           Feeling fearful         The list that follows includes items you may or may not experience. Please consider if and how often you have these experiences, and try to disregard whether you feel you should or should not have them. In addition, a number of items use the word ‘God.’ If this word is not a comfortable one, please substitute another idea that calls to mind the Divine or holy for you. Q50 For each of the following statements, click on the circle that best indicates the extent of your agreement or disagreement as it describes your personal experience:   Strongly Disagree   Moderately Disagree   Disagree   Agree   Moderately Agree   Strongly Agree   I don’t find much satisfaction in private prayer with God.             I don’t know who I am, where I came from, or where I am going.             I believe that God loves me and cares about me.             I feel that life is a positive experience.             I believe that God is impersonal and not interested in my daily situations.             I feel unsettled about my future.             I have a personally meaningful relationship with God.             I feel very fulfilled and satisfied with life.             I don’t get much personal strength and support from my God.             I feel a sense of well-being about the direction my life is headed in.             I believe that God is concerned about my problems. Strongly Disagree   Moderately Disagree   Disagree   Agree   Moderately Agree   Strongly Agree   I don’t enjoy much about life.             I don’t have a personally satisfying relationship with God.             I feel good about my future.             My relationship with God helps me not to feel lonely.             I feel that life is full of conflict and unhappiness.             I feel most fulfilled when I’m in close communion with God.             Life doesn’t have much meaning.             My relationship with God contributes to my sense of well-being.             I believe there is some real purpose for my life.           DON'T FORGET TO CLICK SUBMIT! QUESTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION If you have any questions or if you would like to request a copy of the results of the study, you may contact me, Shauna McCarthy, Graduate Student in Clinical Psychology, at (419) 320-2518 or smccart@bgnet.bgsu.edu. You may also contact my advisor Eric Dubow, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at (419) 372-2556 or edubow@bgnet.bgsu.edu. If you have questions about the conduct of this study or your rights as a research participant, you may contact the Chairperson, Human Subjects Review Board, at (419) 372-7716 or hsrb@bgnet.bgsu.edu.

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