Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/62392
Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-22T06:33:02Z-
dc.date.available2020-10-22T06:33:02Z-
dc.date.issued2019-
dc.identifier.citationSammut, C. (2019). 50 shades of Gay: The effects of social stigma on the mental health of persons with non-heteronormative sexual orientation (Bachelor's dissertation).en_GB
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/62392-
dc.descriptionB.A.(HONS)YOUTH&COMM.STUD.en_GB
dc.description.abstractThis study investigates the effects of social stigma and consequent effects on the mental health of young persons pertaining to sexual minorities. The literature review draws on the classical works of Durkheim (1895), Cooley (1902), Becker (1963), Garfinkel (1956), Goffman (1963) and Foucault (1981) to discuss the social construction of the self and its susceptibility to social stigma and labelling. These works demonstrate that the causes of social stigma are complex and have far reaching consequences on mental health. This study aims to explore how social stigma may negatively affect the mental health of those individuals who are experiencing it. The informants of this study pertained to sexual minorities in Malta. They have experienced social stigma but not necessarily mental health issues. A qualitative approach was the adopted methodology for this study. Data was collected through semi-structured, one to one interviews that lasted approximately one hour. Six respondents who identified as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual took part in the study. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data. The three main themes that were identified are; Stigma through Family and Friends; Stigma by Society and Mental Health. These themes were derived from repeated patterns in the data. The findings of the study suggest that social stigma occurred in diverse social settings in which the informants were immersed. The informants associated social stigma with feelings of anxiety, stress, and other negative effects which subsequently negatively affect self-image. Respondents who had accepting and supporting peers, found it easier to deal with certain pressures they were faced with. All six respondents reported that stigma may negatively affect the mental health of those individuals who are experiencing it. This study puts forward a number of recommendations for youth policy.en_GB
dc.language.isoenen_GB
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccessen_GB
dc.subjectSexual minorities -- Mental health -- Maltaen_GB
dc.subjectStigma (Social psychology) -- Maltaen_GB
dc.subjectHomophobia -- Maltaen_GB
dc.title50 shades of Gay : the effects of social stigma on the mental health of persons with non-heteronormative sexual orientationen_GB
dc.typebachelorThesisen_GB
dc.rights.holderThe copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder.en_GB
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Maltaen_GB
dc.publisher.departmentFaculty for Social Wellbeing. Department of Youth and Community Studiesen_GB
dc.description.reviewedN/Aen_GB
dc.contributor.creatorSammut, Christian-
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacSoW - 2019
Dissertations - FacSoWYCS - 2019

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
Christian Sammut.pdf
  Restricted Access
1.91 MBAdobe PDFView/Open Request a copy


Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.