Psychologists On Continuum Theory of Sexual Orientation

Washington State University researchers have established a categorical distinction between people who are heterosexual and those who are not. By analyzing the reported sexual behavior, identity and attraction  of more than 33,000 American adults they found that 3 percent of men and 2.7 percent of women are not heterosexual.   They also found notable issues on several mental health fronts.

The findings are a clear departure from the homosexual-heterosexual continuum used to describe sexual orientation since it was hypothesized by sexologist Alfred Kinsey in 1948. The findings do support more recent biological hypotheses of sexual orientation.

The study also identified several alarming mental health issues among non-heterosexuals. Nearly three out of ten non-heterosexual men--roughly twice that of heterosexual men--met the diagnostic criteria for depression. Non-heterosexual women were much more likely to abuse or depend on alcohol. Non-heterosexual men and women were more likely to meet the criteria for anxiety and other mood  disorders and to think about suicide. The researchers considered the social stigmatization of gays, lesbians and other non-heterosexuals could be a factor in their mental health.

The researchers, by actually getting some understanding of how to categorize people and the unique challenges they face, got a lot more insight into their well-being and their experiences. The USU psychology department used data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, which conducted personal interviews with more than 35,000 randomly selected adults. The survey asked respondents about which genders they've had sex with, getting at the behavior studied by Kinsey, as well as their sexual identity and who they're most attracted to. Attraction has only recently been regularly studied.

The researchers used a set of statistical methods called taxometrics, which was developed specifically to determine if people are distributed on a spectrum or if they are part of meaningful groups, or taxons. The statistics showed that people at some point are crossing a threshold between one group and anterior group. Why the do it cannot be answered in this study. But that they do it tells researchers they should be looking at that question, not as much at the continuum question. The most radical, extreme version of that would be to say Kinsey led a lot of this research down the wrong path as much as he was a pioneer whose work helped destigmatize same-sex relationship and inclinations.

The researchers' findings have numerous implications. Foremost is the ability to home in on the mental health impact of cultural issues non-heterosexuals are more likely to face. The findings are also consistent with those of biologists who examine how genes and hormones shape sexual orientation. 

Another implication of the findings  is they leave little room for calling homosexuality a lifestyle choice. A lifestyle does not fit into a taxon. People who use the language of 'choice' and 'lifestyle' are negating 'born that way' or any of the terminology that would assume that these are genuine differences that are legitimate. The findings also go against the notion of "conversion therapy," which ostensibly would move a person along a continuum toward heterosexuality. Conversion therapy is fundamentally changing who they are. You can't do that in psychology. Rather, the taxometric results establish a group of people that are, in effect, bona fide heterosexuals. Then there's another group that is not a continuum but an assemblage, a variety of people united in their same-sex sexual orientation but who may reflect diverse sexual identities.

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Developing Interdependence

The concepts of dependency and independence are at the core of the stereotyped assumptions about women in our culture and particularly lesbians. Growing up in a world where these stereotypes are taught from birth brings many challenges to understanding and relearning new perspectives. Learning to live them consciously in a society that still unconsciously believes in the view that men are independent and women dependent takes a lot of work.

We live in a society where dependency is devalued and pathologized. It is linked with symbiosis, weakness, passivity, immaturity, and is attributed to women, children, and persons perceived as inadequately functioning. Independence, on the other hand, is highly valued. It is linked with autonomy, strength, taking action, and maturity and is attributed to men, adults, and individuals who are perceived as functioning fully.

This kind of polarization and stereotyping makes it difficult for all women to accept our dependent feelings and depend on each other empathically. It also complicates the acceptance of our independent feelings and goals and retards interdependence among women.

Lesbians tend to identify with the independent roles in what feminist theoreticians and clinicians see as an androcentric value system that regards independence and autonomy as masculine traits. Lesbian relationships are effected by this identification and can become difficult if one partner shows any signs of dependency or independence, or if both are acting independently and are unable to receive or ask for help.

Our striving toward balance or interdependence would be healthiest to find ourselves bringing both dependency and independence together on a continuum. Bringing them together could be seen in an individual whose independence encompasses the ability to be interdependent, that is, to depend on others and to be depended upon in a manner that is equally respectful of the needs of self and others, as well as being appropriate to the situation.

In this value system dependency is no longer perceived as a regression to infantile functioning, as feminine passivity, as weakness, or as a pathology. Independence would not be seen as positive attributes given only to men in our culture. A middle ground for both men and women would be allowed to develop and achieved.

Developing this balance is especially important for lesbians because our natural proclivity is toward the independent end of the continuum. Independence is well within our comfort zone and is reflected in the way we approach feelings of neediness or helplessness. These uncomfortable feelings make it challenging to accept our vulnerability.

When we can place our ability to give to others from the core of who we are, we can also recognize the legitimacy of our own needs. When we value the help we get and the help we give, our interdependence, we can more easily ask for help and trust ourselves and each other. When we cherish our ability to meet the needs of others, our dependability, we are better able to express our own needs, or dependency, and to take care of ourselves, to be independent. As lesbians, it is important to learn and develop the awareness and skills to interact in a mode of equality and interdependence.