Tools for enhancing resilience and addressing internalized heterosexism: bibliotherapy and cinematherapy in groupwork for individuals who come out as an adult

Beth Counselman Carpenter; Alex Redcay; Amy Freeman

doi:10.1921/gpwk.v27i3.1165

Authors

Beth Counselman Carpenter Southern Connecticut State University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4260-5783
Alex Redcay Millersville University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1778-3772
Amy Freeman Millersville University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0519-1251

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v27i3.1165

Abstract

This article shares the clinical application of bibliotherapy and cinematherapy as groupwork tools to build social support and to foster resilience among group members of LGBTQIA+ support groups for individuals coming out later in life. Coming out groups for LGBTQIA+ individuals, as well as specific tools and exercises to use within these groups remain under-researched. The importance of fostering resilience through groupwork for those leaving a heterocentric lifestyle is discussed, and suggested books, movies and discussion questions for groupwork are provided. Contra-indications for these exercises are also discussed

Author Biographies

Beth Counselman Carpenter, Southern Connecticut State University

Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work

School of Health and Human Services

Alex Redcay, Millersville University

Assistant Professor, School of Social Work

Amy Freeman, Millersville University

DSW student, ABD

References

Alessi, E. J. (2014). A framework for incorporating minority stress theory into treatment with sexual minority clients. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 18, pp. 47-66. doi:10.1080/19359705.2013.789811.

Altman, C. (1999). Gay and lesbian seniors: Unique challenges of coming out in later life. SIECUS Report, 27, 14-17.

American Psychology Association (APA) (2017) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved 6/14/17: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/.

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) (2015). Code of Ethics. Retrieved 6/14/17: http://www.aamft.org/iMIS15/AAMFT/Content/Legal_Ethics/Code_of_Ethics.aspx

Beasley, C.R., Jenkins, R.A. & Valenti, M. (2015). Special Section on LGBT Resilience across cultures: an introduction. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55, 164-166. doi:10.1007/s10464-015-9701-7.

Berg-Cross, L., Jennings, P., & Baruch, R. (1990). Cinematherapy: Theory and application. Psychotherapy in Private Practice, 8, 135-156.

Berger, R. M., & Kelly, J. J. (2001). What are older gay men like? An impossible question? Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 13, 55–64.

Betzalel, N., & Shechtman, Z. (2017). The impact of bibliotherapy superheroes on youth who experience parental absence. School Psychology International, 38(5), 473-490. doi:10.1177/0143034317719943.

Brown, A. (1994). Groupwork 3rd Edition. Great Yarmouth: Ashgate Publishing.

Bouris, A., Everett, B. G., Heath, R. D., Elsaesser, C. E., & Neilands, T. B. (2016). Effects of victimization and violence on suicidal ideation and behaviors among sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents. LGBT Health, 3, 153-161.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Brotman, S., Ryan, B., Collins, S., Chamberland, L., Cormier, R., Julien, D., et al. (2007). Coming out to care: Caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors in Canada. Gerontologist, 47, 490–503.

Cass, V. C. (1979). Homosexuality identity formation: A theoretical model. Journal of Homosexuality, 4, 219-235.

D’Augelli, A. R. (1994). Identity development and sexual orientation: Toward a model of lesbian, gay, and bisexual development. In E. J. Trickett, R. J. Watts & D. Birman (Eds.), In Human diversity: Perspectives on people in context. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Douglas, T. (1983). Groups: understanding people gathered together. London: Routledge.

Frost, R., Pekareva-Kochergina, A. Maxner, S. (2011), The effectiveness of a biblio-based support group for hoarding disorder, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 628-634. doi:/10.1016/j.brat.2011.06.010.

Gladding, S.T. (2005). Counseling as art: The creative arts in counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Goodrich, K. M. and Luke, M. (2015) Introduction and history of group work with the LGBTQI population, in K. Goodrich and M. Luke (Eds.) Group Counseling with LGBTQI Persons, Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association. doi: 10.1002/9781119222774.ch1

Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma. London, England: Penguin.

Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster.

Grossman, A., D’Augelli, A., & Hershberger, S. (2000). Social support networks of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults 60 years of age and older. Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 55B, 171–179.

Hunter, S., & Hickerson, J. (2003). Affirmative practice: Understanding and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. Washington, D. C.: NASW Press.

Institute of Medicine. (2011). The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding. Washington, D. C.: National Academies Press.

Jacob, J., & De Guzman, R. (2015). Development of taking in the good based-bibliotherapy intervention program in the female adolescent depression treatment. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 6, 331-339.

Jackson, S. A. (2001). Using bibliotherapy with clients. Journal of Individual Psychology, 57, 289–297.

Konopka, G. (1963). Social Group Work: a Helping Process. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.

Lazarus, R. S. (1966). Psychological stress and the coping process. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Levinson, D. (1986). A concept of adult development. American Psychologist, 41, 1, 3-13.

Locke, J. (1998). Treatment of homophobia in a gay male adolescent. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 52, 202–214.

Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: a critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71, 543-562.

Masini, B. & Barrett, H. (2008). Social support as a predictor of psychological and physical well-being and lifestyle in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 50 and over. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 20, 91–110.

Meyer, I. & Dean, L. (1998). Internalized homophobia, intimacy, and sexual behavior among gay and bisexual men. Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Issues, 4, 160-186.

National Association of Social Workers (2008). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

Plummer, K. (1995). Telling Sexual Stories: Power, Change, and Social Worlds. New York, New York: Routledge.

Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 316–331.

Ryan, C., Russell, S., Huebner, D., Diaz, R. M., & Sanches, J. (2010). Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 23, 205-213. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x

Shechtman, Z. & Nir–Shfrir, R. (2008). The effect of affective bibliotherapy on clients’ functioning in group therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 581, 103-117. doi: 10.1521/ijgp.2008.58.1.103

Sharma, V., Sood, A., Prasad, K., Loehrer, L., Schroeder, D. & Brent, B. (2014). Bibliotherapy to decrease stress and anxiety and to increase resilience and mindfulness: a pilot trial. EXPLORE: The Journal of Health and Healing, 10, 248-252.

Songprakun, W., & McCann, T. (2014). Using bibliotherapy to assist people to recover from depression in Thailand: relationship between resilience, depression and psychological distress. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 21, 716-724.

Stathatos, M., Watson, R., & Sulkowski, M. (2016). Peer victimization and resilience among LGBT youth. Bethesda: National Association of School Psychologists.

Stewart, P., & Ames, G. (2014). Using culturally affirming, thematically appropriate bibliotherapy to cope with trauma. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 7 227-236. doi:10.1007/s40653-014-0028-6.

Waitkus, J. W. (2008). The use of popular films in psychotherapy to identify and develop clients' strengths. Available from ProQuest Central; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, Psychology Database. (304815671).

Wedding, D., & Niemiec, R. (2003). The clinical use of films in psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 9, 207-215. doi:10.1002/jclp.10142.

White, R. W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. Psychological Review, 66, 297–333.

Yalom, I. D. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York, New York: Basic Books.

Zuniga, J. F. (2013). Using Hollywood films in group therapy to increase self-esteem among Latina Adolescents. Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1468716119).