Sexual Identity Synthesis: Attributions, Meaning-Making, and the Search for Congruence

by Mark A. Yarhouse, Erica S. N. Tan

How does religious identity inform a person's sexual identity and vice versa? Sexual Identity Attributions, Meaning-Making, and the Search for Congruence answers these questions in this groundbreaking study on the development and synthesis of sexual identity among Christians who experience same-sex attraction.

228 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2004

About the author

Mark A. Yarhouse is a professor of psychology and the director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity at Regent University. He is also part of a group practice in the Virginia Beach area, providing individual, couples, family, and group counseling. Dr. Yarhouse received his PsyD from Wheaton College and has worked collaboratively on a number of books. He and his family live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Reviews

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I was NOT at all lookign forward to this book, due to the perspective of the author on sexual orientation and identity, I was pleasantly surprised. The book begins with an overview of the different models of sexual identity development than discusses a study done by the authors comparing those who identify as LGBT and those who dis-identify (ex-gay). While I most certaintly disagree with the authors points that it religious values of Christianity make it appropriate for one to dis-identify as LGBT (I disagree with this because I do not think it is possible, nor do I think it necessary), it has useful information in terms of background on sexual identity development and opportunities for future studies. If you read this book, which I would only recommend to those who are familiar with the most prominent and current literature on sexual identity development, do so with a grain of salt.