1. Measurement of sexual orientation among adolescents
More than a label
Measurement of sexual orientation among adolescents
POWER
NOTE
Jennifer Rubin, M.S.
University of Michigan
SSSS 2015 Annual Conference

2. Asking Questions What label best describes your sexual identity?
Gay/lesbian
Bisexual
Heterosexual
Questioning

3. Today’s 01 02 03 Presentation Defining sexual orientation
Multidimensional model of sexual orientation
Presentation 03
Interpretations of attraction among LGBTQ young women

4. Defining Sexual Orientation
An erotic inclination toward people of one or more genders, most often described as sexual or erotic attractions
Savin-Williams & Ream, 2007; Saeywc, 2011

5. Defining Sexual Orientation
An erotic inclination toward people of one or more genders, most often described as sexual or erotic attractions
Savin-Williams & Ream, 2007; Saeywc, 2011

6. The label that people adopt to signify who they are as a sexual being
Dimensions of Sexual Orientation 01 02 03
Identification
Attraction
Sexual Behavior
The label that people adopt to signify who they are as a sexual being
The feeling of being romantically or sexually drawn to other individuals
A person’s sexual practices with individuals of the same gender and/or different gender(s)
Dickson, van Roode, Cameron, & Paul, 2013; Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, & Michaels, 1994; Saewyc et al.; 2004; Savin-Williams, 2014

7. The label that people adopt to signify who they are as a sexual being
Dimensions of Sexual Orientation 01 02 03
Identification
Attraction
Sexual Behavior
The label that people adopt to signify who they are as a sexual being
The feeling of being romantically or sexually drawn to other individuals
A person’s sexual practices with individuals of the same gender and/or different gender(s)
Dickson, van Roode, Cameron, & Paul, 2013; Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, & Michaels, 1994; Saewyc et al.; 2004; Savin-Williams, 2014

8. 2002 National Survey of Family Growth
Differences between Components
2002 National Survey of Family Growth
Sexual Behavior
Identity
Attraction 4%
3-10%
11%
Mosher, Chandra, & Jones, 2005

9. Adolescence & Measuring Sexual Orientation
Sexual Relationships.
Some adolescents are not engaging in partnered sexual behavior
Attraction.
Younger adolescents may not have experienced sexual or romantic attraction
Stigma.
Sexual orientation-based harassment is prevalent
Johns et al. 2013; McClelland, Rubin & Bauermeister, 2015

10. What types of questions should I ask?

11. A I B What to Ask Recommendation: Measure all three constructs
Attraction
Identity
Behavior
Recommendation: Measure all three constructs
The Williams Institute, 2013

12. A I B + -or- What to Ask Measure attraction plus one other dimension
Identity
Behavior
Measure attraction plus one other dimension
Friedman et al., 2004; The Williams Institute, 2013

13. Sexual Identity Which of the following do you consider yourself to be?
Gay or lesbian
Heterosexual or straight
Bisexual
Something else
I don’t know the answer
National Institute for Health Statistics, 2014

14. Sexual Identity Which of the following do you consider yourself to be?
Gay or lesbian
Heterosexual or straight
Bisexual
Something else
I don’t know the answer
National Institute for Health Statistics, 2014

15. Sexual Identity Which of the following do you consider yourself to be?
Gay or lesbian
Heterosexual or straight
Bisexual
Something else
I don’t know the answer
National Institute for Health Statistics, 2014

16. Sexual Identity Which of the following do you consider yourself to be?
Gay or lesbian
Heterosexual or straight
Bisexual
Something else
I don’t know the answer
National Institute for Health Statistics, 2014

17. In the past (time period e.g. year) who have you had sex with?
Sexual Behavior
Men only
Women only
Both men and women
I have not had sex
The Williams Institute, 2009

18. In the past (time period e.g. year) who have you had sex with?
Sexual Behavior
Men only
Women only
Both men and women
I have not had sex
The Williams Institute, 2009

19. In the past (time period e.g. year) who have you had sex with?
Sexual Behavior
Men only
Women only
Both men and women
I have not had sex
The Williams Institute, 2009

20. People are different in their sexual attraction to other people
People are different in their sexual attraction to other people. Which best describes your feelings? Are you:
Attraction
Only attracted to females?
Mostly attracted to females?
Equally attracted to females and males?
Mostly attracted to males?
Only attracted to males? Not sure?
National Study of Family Growth, 2013

21. People are different in their sexual attraction to other people
People are different in their sexual attraction to other people. Which best describes your feelings? Are you:
Attraction
Only attracted to females?
Mostly attracted to females?
Equally attracted to females and males?
Mostly attracted to males?
Only attracted to males?
Not sure?
National Study of Family Growth, 2013

22. People are different in their sexual attraction to other people
People are different in their sexual attraction to other people. Which best describes your feelings? Are you:
Attraction
Only attracted to females?
Mostly attracted to females?
Equally attracted to females and males?
Mostly attracted to males?
Only attracted to males?
Not sure?
National Study of Family Growth, 2013

23. What does it mean to feel attracted to someone?

24. 01 02 First Experiences of Same-Sex Attraction Contexts Silences
Three contexts emerged: embodied contexts, relational contexts, and social contexts
Young women described lacking words to describe initial feelings of same-sex attraction
McClelland, Rubin & Bauermeister, 2015

25. First Experiences of Same-Sex Attraction
Asking ‘‘are you sexually attracted to females’’ may be insufficient methodologically
McClelland, Rubin & Bauermeister, 2015

26. 01 02 03 Moving Forward Development is important Questions matter
Additional theoretical and empirical work

27. Questions? Thank you Contact jdrrubin@umich.edu @jenn_rubin W
Questions?