Differences in personality beliefs of emerging adults in two distinct online asexual communities
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kevin Samuel Toole (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Candace Boan-Lenzo
Abstract: Asexuals are individuals who claim not to experience sexual attraction to others. Researchers have suggested both that asexuality is best characterized as a unique sexual orientation, and that it may be indicative of underlying psychopathology. Various dysfunctional personality beliefs are believed to be indicators of different mental health disorders. To date, asexuals have mainly been studied through recruitment on the Asexuality Visibility and Education Network (AVEN), although other online asexual communities exist. The present study examined differences in personality beliefs of emerging adults in two distinct online asexual communities using the Personality Beliefs Questionnaire. The instrument contains 9 subscales that correspond to the Axis II personality disorders (Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive, Antisocial, Narcissistic, Histrionic, Schizoid, Paranoid, Borderline). Each subscale contains 14 statements related to dysfunctional beliefs that are associated with the personality disorder. A total of 296 participants (261 self-identified as asexual; M age 24.56 years). Results revealed that the groups did not differ with regards to Passive Aggressive, Obsessive Compulsive, Antisocial Personality, Histrionic Personality and Paranoid scales. There were differences between the groups on Avoidant, Depression, Narcissistic, and Schizoid scales. The present study found all levels of elevation to be subclinical for both groups. This is the first study to include asexuals from online groups other than AVEN. Implications for future research are discussed.
Differences in personality beliefs of emerging adults in two distinct online asexual communities
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Created on 6/1/2014
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Other
- Language: English
- Date: 2014
- Keywords
- Asexual, Asexuality, Personality
- Subjects
- Sexual minorities -- Psychology
- Sexual orientation