Publication Date

2019

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Carter, Adam W.

Second Advisor

Degges-White, Suzanne

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)

Abstract

One hundred sixty asexual identified individuals living in the United States were recruited from asexual online communities. The participants completed a comprehensive survey consisting of Zimet et al.’s 1988 Multidimensional Scale of Social Support, Foster’s 2017 Asexual Microaggression Scale, and the Five Factor Wellness Inventory Adult Version Revised (FFWEL-A2) developed by Myers and Sweeney in 2014, as well as 15-item demographic items. Regression models were used to assess relationships among the factors.

Social support was found to have a significant positive impact on participant wellness, supporting previous social science research. Microaggressions were not found to have a negative impact on wellness, in contrast to previous literature. Social support had a positive impact on participant wellness even in the presence of microaggressions, further supporting the practices of strengths-based helping professions such as counseling.

Participants demographics diverged from previous studies of asexual people, particularly in gender and racial make-up. A significant proportion came from countries outside the US, indicating the need for more international research. Participants offered clues as to how to improve future assessment methods. The results, implications for clinical settings, counselor education, and advocacy are discussed. Suggestions are made for future research.

Keywords: asexuality, sexual normativity, wellness, microaggressions, sexual orientation, professional counseling

Extent

218 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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