Is GLBT community commitment a risk or protective factor for health outcomes?
Date
2013
Authors
Konkel, Kristen E., author
Henry, Kimberly, advisor
Vacha-Haase, Tammi, committee member
Haddock, Shelley, committee member
Lehmiller, Justin, committee member
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Abstract
The present research applied a modified version of the investment model to the study of how gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons become committed to the social, political, and organizational GLBT community. Additionally, a main goal of the study was to determine if community commitment was a risk or protective factor for health behaviors and outcomes. First, a confirmatory factor analysis determined that the three theorized aspects of the GLBT community can be measured distinctly and individually. However, results did not indicate that commitment to individual aspects of the GLBT community (while controlling for commitment to other aspects) predicted individual health outcomes. It was not demonstrated that commitment to the GLBT community was either a risk or a protective factor. This research has important implications for understanding how one's community can or cannot influence health behaviors.
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Subject
health
GLBT
risk and protective factors
commitment
community