Youth Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Siblings and Extended Family

• Author: John D. Wall,Erika L. Grafsky,Hoa N. Nguyen,Katherine Hickey
• Published date: 01 February 2018
• Date: 01 February 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12299

E L. G Virginia Tech

K H Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma City

H N. N Valdosta State University

J D. W Purdue University Northwest

Youth Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Siblings

and Extended Family

Objective: To explore the processes and experi-

ences associated with disclosing sexual orienta-

tion to siblings and extended family.

Background: Few studies prioritize the experi-

ence of disclosing to siblings and extended fam-

ily, despite its frequency and potential impact on

the family unit. Extended family members often

act as sources of support for youth; it is therefore

worthwhile to consider whether this remains

true during and after disclosure of sexual

orientation.

Method: Interview and questionnaire data were

gathered from 22 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and

queer (LGBQ) youth, 14 to 21 years of age,

from a large Midwestern U.S. city. Construc-

tivist grounded theory informed the qualitative

methodology and data analysis. Webuild on con-

cepts of horizontal and vertical family relation-

ships by also introducing the concept of diagonal

relationships.

Results: Participants described their relation-

ships with aunts as possessing characteristics of

horizontal and vertical relationships, allowing

Department of Human Development and Family Science,

Virginia Tech, 840 University City Boulevard, Suite 1,

Blacksburg, VA 24061 (erikagrafsky@vt.edu).

Key Words: Aunts, disclosure, family, LGBQ, qualitative

methods, sexual minority youth, siblings.

them to act as moderators and mediators of the

parent–child relationship.

Conclusion: The concepts of vertical, horizon-

tal, and diagonal relationships take into con-

sideration how the structure (e.g., hierarchy,

egalitarianism, boundaries) and nature (e.g.,

closeness, reciprocity, mentorship) of various

relationships shape the coming-out process for

LGBQ youth, without dismissing the importance

of either immediate or extended family members.

Implications: The emerging conceptualization

can guide services and interventions as well as

illuminate further researchon the family systems

of LGBQ youth.

Some scholars conceptualize disclosure as the

process of revealing information about oneself

to another. More specically, disclosure often

occurs at a specic moment in time through

various means, such as conversation or writ-

ing a letter. However, its impacts can unfold

over the course of many months and even years

(Denes & A, 2014; Orne, 2011). Disclosure is

a key component of relationships whereby indi-

viduals exhibit vulnerability, and vulnerability

can bring family members together (Finkenauer,

Engels, Branje, & Meeus, 2004). Accordingly,

it makes sense that disclosure predicts greater

intimacy and closeness (Laurenceau, Barrett,

& Pietromonaco, 1998; Rubin, Hill, Peplau, &

Family Relations 67 (February 2018): 147–160 147

DOI:10.1111/fare.12299