The next Psychology Graduate Research Series talk will discuss the various psychological effects gay men may experience as a result of sensitivity to sexuality-based rejection. The event is co-hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences and NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies (CPS).
“The Impact of Sexuality-Based Rejection Sensitivity on the Psychological Functioning of Gay Men”
Psychology Graduate Research Series | Joseph C. Slimowicz, student at CPS
Wednesday, Mar. 19
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Maltz Psychology Building | Room 2055
About the Research
Gay males often experience a vast amount of psychosocial difficulties as a result of their identification as a sexual-minority individual. Rejection sensitivity is characterized as the anxious expectation of rejection, coupled with a tendency to readily interpret rejection in the ambiguous interpersonal behavior of others. Until recently, research and development of this construct were restricted to interpersonal social and dating dynamics among heterosexuals. However, the advent of sexual-oriented-specific measures has offered a new avenue into the study of psychological processes specific to gay males.
Slimowicz will discuss his study, which evaluated the impact of varying levels of trait-rejection sensitivity on a wide variety of psychological functioning in 142 gay men from several metropolitan areas. Results indicate significant correlations among measures of sexuality-based-rejection sensitivity, personality, coping styles, internalizing disorders, and adaptive relationships with friends.
Slimowicz has worked under the guidance of faculty adviser Jedidiah Siev, Ph.D., assistant professor at CPS.
This talk is free and all are welcome to attend. Complimentary pizza will be served. For more information, contact Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor and coordinator of psychology research at the college, or Sarah Valley-Gray, Psy.D., associate professor at CPS.