Thesis Defense by Zeynep Ezgi Mater

You are cordially invited to join the online M.A.Thesis Defense by Zeynep Ezgi Mater (Psychology Master’s Degree Program-Thesis) on Tuesday July 13, 2021 at 11:00 am.

The title, abstract and the meeting links are as follows: 

Thesis Subject: Coming Out Experiences of Lesbian and Gay Youth and Their Parents: A Qualitative Study in Turkey

Thesis Advisor : F. Senem Zeytinoğlu Sağlam

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81873960523?pwd=STQ5UUg0VWsvOVpzMTcxRTE2U3pYQT09 

Meeting ID: 818 7396 0523 

Passcode: 809166

Abstract: 

This study is aimed to explore deeply the experiences of lesbian and gay youth in coming out process. Ten families who participated included mothers and lesbian/gay youth ranging in ages of 21 to 33. In participants of youth, three of them define themselves as lesbian, and rest defines as gay.  Thematic analysis using Family Systems Theory as a base is used to analyse 20 interviews. Seven themes (numbers) and sixteen subthemes (letters) have emerged from thematic analysis of coming out experiences of gay youth and parents as following: 1) youth’s acceptance of self as a process, 1a) experiencing confusion and isolation in coming out to oneself, 1b) motivation to come out: the burden of being closeted, 2) suspicion prior to coming out, 2a) youth suspicion of family’s suspicion, 2b) suspicion of parents, 3) youth’s worries about the anticipated negative reactions, 3a) using the opportunity of the context to come out, 4) initial reactions, 4a) experiencing negative emotions, 4b) initial non-acceptance,  5) acceptance as a process, 5a) youth’s effort of explaining themselves in searching for family’s acceptance, 5b) increasing familial acceptance in time, 5c) Parents’ motivation for acceptance: My Child, 6) positive effects of coming out, 6a) youth feeling free to be themselves after relieving the burden of being closeted, 6b) better relationships in family after coming out, 7) social & cultural effects, 7a) social cultural effects being a hump for both parents and youth, 7b) lack of reliable sources and being uninformed as barriers, 7c) social support easing the process for both youth and parents, 8) coming out being a difficult process, 8a) continuing negative effects. Further subthemes of subthemes are explained in the results section with quotes from participants. Themes and subthemes are discussed in the framework of Family Systems Theory. Themes overall highlight the characteristics of coming out as a process in the line with other studies in the field. Moreover, clinical implications of the study are discussed.

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