White, Allie2023-08-212023-08-212023https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/33256Media can inform sexual behavior and normalize sexual identities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults. During this period, emerging adults explore and possibly solidify their sexual identity, and media can function as a source of sexual socialization. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and Sexual Identity Gratifications, this study used content analysis and survey research to test an identity-driven media selection model of gay- and lesbian- oriented (GLO) media for SGM emerging adults. ☐ Fifty GLO television shows were analyzed in Study 1 through a content analysis of SGM characters’ (N=242) engagement in various sexual behaviors (e.g., flirting, kissing, touching, oral sex, penetrative sex) and communication topics (e.g., past sexual partners or experiences, sexual interests or activities, sexual advice, relationship talk). Descriptive results showed that the most frequently depicted behaviors were flirting, kissing, and touching, whereas the most common communication topics were about relationships, sexual activities/interests, and past sexual partners/experiences. ☐ Study 2 was an online survey (N=500) of SGM emerging adults ages 18-25. Path analysis was used to assess how social support and identity-driven motivations are associated with SGM emerging adults’ media selection; how participants’ exposure to GLO media in general was related to their SGM identity development; and how exposure to specific types of sexual content in GLO media was related to their efficacy and intentions to engage in same-sex sexual behaviors and communication. Individuals’ SGM community connection and sexual identity salience were positively associated with their sexual identity gratifications selection motivations, and that GLO media was positively associated with participants’ sexual identity centrality, affirmation, and acceptance concerns. Exposure to sexual content in GLO media was associated with participants’ intentions to engage in sexual behavior and sexual communication, though it was not related to their self-efficacy. ☐ These findings offer new interpretations of the roles personal identity and group membership may play in media selection, while accounting for sexual identity in Social Identity Gratifications. Ultimately, exposure to GLO media content presents SGM emerging adults with the opportunity to foster SGM identities and to learn about and normalize SGM sex through onscreen depictions of SGM sexual relationships and behaviors. ☐ Keywords: sexual and gender minority, emerging adults, sexual identity development, sexual behavior, sexual communication, social cognitive theory, social identity gratificationsEmerging adultsSexual and gender minoritySexual behaviorSexual identity developmentSocial cognitive theorySocial identity gratificationsThesis1398478758https://doi.org/10.58088/ahhb-ks962023-06-26en