Jared Boot-Haury, PsyD, MBA

There is little research on individuals who hold intersectional sexual and gender diverse iden- tities. The scarcity of research is even more pronounced among asexual individuals. The present study sought to analyze experiences associated with holding an asexual identity and experiences related to romantic orientation and other cultural identities of study participants who identified as asexual and transgender and gender diverse (TGD). The aim associated with analyzing these experiences was to… Show more

There is little research on individuals who hold intersectional sexual and gender diverse iden- tities. The scarcity of research is even more pronounced among asexual individuals. The present study sought to analyze experiences associated with holding an asexual identity and experiences related to romantic orientation and other cultural identities of study participants who identified as asexual and transgender and gender diverse (TGD). The aim associated with analyzing these experiences was to identify themes associated with existential concerns. 300 participants between the ages of 18 and 70 years old (M = 26.27; SD = 7.86) completed an open-ended questionnaire, and responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Ten major themes were identified: connection versus isolation; communication; romantic attraction as a continuum; connection between attraction and gender identity; primary and secondary attraction; compul- sory sexuality and sexual safety; freedom of choice; threats, discrimination, and stereotypes; sense of identity; and asexuality as a transitional identity. Findings suggest that the identified themes align with previous quantitative research findings related to asexual and TGD commu- nities. The findings of the present study also align with the existential concerns of isolation, meaning, freedom, death, and identity. Participant experience of the polarities associated with existential concerns appears dependent on the gender, sexual, and romantic identities of participants and the participants existing in an allonormative and cisgenderist social context. Implications for practice and research associated with the themes and their associated existential concerns are discussed. Show less

Rural transgender individuals face heightened disparities relative to other transgender individuals. However, social workers and psychologists receive minimal training in transgender client
care. The current study used one-way repeated measures ANOVAs to investigate the effectiveness of transgender-specific cultural competency training for social workers and psychologists working with rural clients to improve knowledge, awareness, and self-efficacy (i.e., competency) concerning transgender… Show more

Rural transgender individuals face heightened disparities relative to other transgender individuals. However, social workers and psychologists receive minimal training in transgender client
care. The current study used one-way repeated measures ANOVAs to investigate the effectiveness of transgender-specific cultural competency training for social workers and psychologists working with rural clients to improve knowledge, awareness, and self-efficacy (i.e., competency) concerning transgender clients’ needs. Results indicated significant differences in the change of competency among participants assigned to a transgender-specific group compared to those assigned to a general multicultural group. Thematic analysis of participants’ responses to course evaluations also supported the course effectiveness. Show less

The present study describes the development and validation of the Asexual Stigma Inventory (ASI). This scale addresses limitations in the literature related to measuring stigmatizing experiences of asexual adults. After an initial exploratory factor analysis (Sample 1: N = 246), the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (Sample 2: N = 400) supported the proposed model consisting of two first-order factors (belongingness and dismissiveness stigma). The results of the present study provide… Show more

The present study describes the development and validation of the Asexual Stigma Inventory (ASI). This scale addresses limitations in the literature related to measuring stigmatizing experiences of asexual adults. After an initial exploratory factor analysis (Sample 1: N = 246), the results of a confirmatory factor analysis (Sample 2: N = 400) supported the proposed model consisting of two first-order factors (belongingness and dismissiveness stigma). The results of the present study provide initial evidence to support the view that the ASI is a psychometrically sound, brief measure of two factors associated with stigmatizing experiences faced by asexual individuals. Show less

This article describes Maslow’s vision of a Good Society and how engrained a humanistically oriented psychological science aimed at creating a Good Society has become in the contemporary practice of humanistic psychologists and psychologists more broadly. Although Maslow’s vision of a humanistically influenced psychology aimed at creating a Good Society has led to progress, it is not without fault. One major limitation of Maslow’s argument for a humanistically oriented psychological science… Show more

This article describes Maslow’s vision of a Good Society and how engrained a humanistically oriented psychological science aimed at creating a Good Society has become in the contemporary practice of humanistic psychologists and psychologists more broadly. Although Maslow’s vision of a humanistically influenced psychology aimed at creating a Good Society has led to progress, it is not without fault. One major limitation of Maslow’s argument for a humanistically oriented psychological science aimed at creating a Good Society is Maslow’s pathologizing views regarding sexually diverse individuals and his contention that their sexual orientation or behaviors make those individuals unhealthy. This limitation is discussed, and current humanistic psychologists are encouraged to draw from Maslow’s vision for a Good Society to make further progress in the field of psychology while recognizing that, as humanistic psychologists, we must neither exclude any group of individuals from a part of a Good Society nor deem those individuals unfit for self-actualization. Show less

This study examined relationships among minority stressors and psychological distress among asexual transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.
Multiple regression results revealed that vigilance and gender expression minority stress significantly positively predicted psychological distress.
This study may aid various professionals in focusing on and reducing specific minority stressors and could facilitate reducing psychological distress.

Despite progress made in providing transgender care, minority stressors such as societal stigmatization and health provider pathologization are still commonplace for the transgender communities. Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, are prevalent in these communities. This article examines literature concerning how rural transgender people disproportionately experience minority stressors and lack protective factors. Research indicates the associated psychological distress… Show more

Despite progress made in providing transgender care, minority stressors such as societal stigmatization and health provider pathologization are still commonplace for the transgender communities. Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, are prevalent in these communities. This article examines literature concerning how rural transgender people disproportionately experience minority stressors and lack protective factors. Research indicates the associated psychological distress (i.e., anxiety) is exacerbated due to a lack of access to culturally competent care. This article explores expanding cultural competence training and access to affirming care to effectively treat conditions like generalized anxiety disorder in rural transgender individuals. Show less

Reviews the book, Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapeutic Relationships by Shari Geller and Leslie Greenberg (see record 2022-97786-000). According to the reviewer, Therapeutic Presence is an excellent resource for clinicians aiming to practice psychotherapy from a humanistic perspective. Two prominent humanistic psychologists co-authored this book. It is accessible in a way that well-established professionals, early career, and graduate student therapists may benefit… Show more

Reviews the book, Therapeutic Presence: A Mindful Approach to Effective Therapeutic Relationships by Shari Geller and Leslie Greenberg (see record 2022-97786-000). According to the reviewer, Therapeutic Presence is an excellent resource for clinicians aiming to practice psychotherapy from a humanistic perspective. Two prominent humanistic psychologists co-authored this book. It is accessible in a way that well-established professionals, early career, and graduate student therapists may benefit from reading. In addition to presenting an extensive overview of theory, the text offers extensive updates to research on therapeutic presence since the first edition. A model and scale are presented, and skills and exercises for cultivating therapeutic presence among individual therapists and graduate students in therapist training programs are also presented. This book fills the need for an extensive resource on an often-under-discussed topic that is pivotal to humanistic psychotherapists: what contributes to cultivating a strong therapeutic relationship with clients that enhances therapeutic effectiveness? Show less

The presence of minority stress has been well documented among members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community, as has the effect of resilience on buffering the impact of minority stress on their psychological distress. Little attention has been given to transgender and gender non-conforming people who identify as asexual. This study examined the relationships among minority stressors, resilience, and psychological distress among individuals holding the intersecting identities of… Show more

The presence of minority stress has been well documented among members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community, as has the effect of resilience on buffering the impact of minority stress on their psychological distress. Little attention has been given to transgender and gender non-conforming people who identify as asexual. This study examined the relationships among minority stressors, resilience, and psychological distress among individuals holding the intersecting identities of transgender and gender non-conforming and asexual. Data were collected from 300 adults using various listservs and social media platforms. Significant differences in harassment & discrimination χ2(2) = 7.27, p = .026 were reported by individuals holding an intersecting asexual and transgender and gender non-conforming identity. Post hoc analysis using Kruskal-Wallis tests did not reveal any significant differences. Therefore, while there may be a significant difference in harassment & discrimination, it is unclear where that difference lies. Multiple regression results revealed that vigilance and gender expression minority stress were significant positive predictors of psychological distress, F(11, 258) = 10.21, p < .001, f2 = .43; the overall model accounted for approximately 30% (R2 = .30) of the total variance in psychological distress. Resilience was a significant negative predictor of psychological distress but did not moderate the relationship between minority stress, gender identity, and psychological distress. Implications for practice and research are discussed. Show less

ABSTRACT: For gay and bisexual men, relationship status and relationship satisfaction have been linked to longevity, positive mental health, and life satisfaction. Factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction among gay and bisexual men were examined within the framework of Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model. Ninety-three gay, bisexual, and pansexual men who ranged in age from 18 to 60 years old (M = 32.14, SD = 10.01) were recruited in person and through Amazon Mechanical Turk to… Show more

ABSTRACT: For gay and bisexual men, relationship status and relationship satisfaction have been linked to longevity, positive mental health, and life satisfaction. Factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction among gay and bisexual men were examined within the framework of Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model. Ninety-three gay, bisexual, and pansexual men who ranged in age from 18 to 60 years old (M = 32.14, SD = 10.01) were recruited in person and through Amazon Mechanical Turk to complete measures related to minority identity processes, identity characteristics, and relationship satisfaction. Most men were White (80.6%) with a high education level (58% had completed at least a bachelor’s degree). Multiple linear regression results were significant and indicated that 4 variables (identity concealment, uncertainty, centrality, and affirmation) explained about 40% of the variance in relationship satisfaction, F(6, 86) = 9.42, p ≤ .001 Findings suggest that Meyer’s model can be extended from explaining mental health to understanding relationship satisfaction. Results also draw attention to the role of identity affirmation and identity centrality, a somewhat unique contribution to this area of inquiry. Show less

Gay men need to discern what role their culture plays in maintaining the overarching influence of hegemonic masculinity’s misogyny in American culture. Kupers (2005) defines hegemonic masculinity as a form of masculinity that results in the “subjugation of women, gays, and men who exhibit feminine characteristics” (p. 717). Declaring oneself a feminist is not enough for gay men; “masculinity operates like whiteness: it demands control over any space it enters. It plants itself in the center and… Show more

Gay men need to discern what role their culture plays in maintaining the overarching influence of hegemonic masculinity’s misogyny in American culture. Kupers (2005) defines hegemonic masculinity as a form of masculinity that results in the “subjugation of women, gays, and men who exhibit feminine characteristics” (p. 717). Declaring oneself a feminist is not enough for gay men; “masculinity operates like whiteness: it demands control over any space it enters. It plants itself in the center and shoves anything coded as feminine to the edges” (Wright, 2018, p. 10). Just as White culture needs to be anti-racist, rather than merely pro-diversity, gay culture needs to be anti-misogynist, not just a community that declares itself in solidarity with feminism. Only after discerning the role gay men play in hegemonic masculinity, will the gay community begin to aid in dismantling the destructive impact of misogyny. Show less

The recent twin weekend shootings in El Paso and Dayton and the high-profile suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, have raised concerns over media depictions of mental illness and suicide. Mass media has an immense potential to positively or negatively impact health-related behavior and perception of individuals with mental health issues (Leask, Hooker, & King, 2010). Thus, journalists should make an effort not to perpetuate negative beliefs about mental illness and those who seek or receive mental… Show more

The recent twin weekend shootings in El Paso and Dayton and the high-profile suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, have raised concerns over media depictions of mental illness and suicide. Mass media has an immense potential to positively or negatively impact health-related behavior and perception of individuals with mental health issues (Leask, Hooker, & King, 2010). Thus, journalists should make an effort not to perpetuate negative beliefs about mental illness and those who seek or receive mental health treatment. Show less

Minority stress theory has been used to explain the higher rates of anxiety and depression among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons (Meyer, 2003). There is a lack of research on facilitating groups specific to emerging identities (pansexual, demisexual, asexual, queer, questioning, and transgender/gender-nonconforming), however.

So that clinicians do not “other” their clients, it is important to know the term that defines the majority of people. That term is allosexuality; this term describes people who experience average sexual attraction and are not asexual (Drincic, 2017). Asexuality is a sexual orientation generally described as those who experience little or no sexual attraction or those who self-identify as asexual (DeLuzio Chasin, 2011). Like other sexual orientations, asexuality can be fluid or fixed and exists… Show more

So that clinicians do not “other” their clients, it is important to know the term that defines the majority of people. That term is allosexuality; this term describes people who experience average sexual attraction and are not asexual (Drincic, 2017). Asexuality is a sexual orientation generally described as those who experience little or no sexual attraction or those who self-identify as asexual (DeLuzio Chasin, 2011). Like other sexual orientations, asexuality can be fluid or fixed and exists on a spectrum. Standard terms that describe variations that exist on the spectrum of asexuality include demisexuality and greysexuality. Show less

Psychology students who have specific classroom instruction, training, and supervision in LGB affirmative therapy perceive higher competence when working with LGB clients (Carlson, McGeorge, & Toomey, 2013). Clinical training programs should address LGB client needs and systemic heterosexism throughout their curriculum and training. Doing so improves clinical outcomes and cultural competency and may reduce some of the health disparities faced by the LGB community.

It has been long established individuals living in rural areas face increased rates of health dis-
parities in comparison to those living in non-rural areas (Eberhardt, & Paumuk, 2004). Addressing the disparities between rural and urban utilization of clinical care services among the at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community is a mission of paramount importance; researchers such as Fisher, Irwin, and Coleman (2014) found that too often rural gender
and… Show more

It has been long established individuals living in rural areas face increased rates of health dis-
parities in comparison to those living in non-rural areas (Eberhardt, & Paumuk, 2004). Addressing the disparities between rural and urban utilization of clinical care services among the at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community is a mission of paramount importance; researchers such as Fisher, Irwin, and Coleman (2014) found that too often rural gender
and sexual minorities receive substandard healthcare services relative to the general popula-
tion. This is in large part due to a lack of cultural competence among clinicians. The absence of cul-
tural competence can result in denial of care, disrespect, and low-quality care (Sekoni, Gale, Manga-
Atagana, Bhaduri, & Jolly, 2017). The lack of cultural competence is a problem amplified in rural com-
munities with less access to adequate resources. Whitehead, Shaver, and Stephenson (2016) found
a low application of recommended vaccinations and screening tests for preventable diseases due to
LGBTQ patients experiencing stigma and fearing future discrimination. Increasing the dissemination of cultural competency training to healthcare providers can help increase clinicians’ knowledge an awareness which will help create more equitable access to the best standards of clinical care and
services for LGBTQ patients (Fenway Institute,2010). Show less

"Gender, Sex, and Sexualities: Psychological Perspectives" offers an expansive view of a rich topic that often goes unexplored in traditional psychology curriculums. The book explores thinking beyond binaries, exploring gendered power and identity intersectionality. Additionally, the book investigates modern thought of gender, sex, and sexuality, including genetics, neuroscience, biology, developmental, psychoanalytic, and social psychology. Throughout the book, discussion of where future… Show more

"Gender, Sex, and Sexualities: Psychological Perspectives" offers an expansive view of a rich topic that often goes unexplored in traditional psychology curriculums. The book explores thinking beyond binaries, exploring gendered power and identity intersectionality. Additionally, the book investigates modern thought of gender, sex, and sexuality, including genetics, neuroscience, biology, developmental, psychoanalytic, and social psychology. Throughout the book, discussion of where future scholarly endeavors should focus is also included. The editors are exceptionally fitting to write this book. Nancy K. Dess is APA’s former senior scientist, Jeanne Maracek is a critical feminist psychologist who has extensively researched culture’s impact on gendered relations, and Leslie C. Bell is a psychotherapist with a research focus on women’s experiences of sexuality and relationships. Show less