Identity Construction in a Gay Alchoholics Anonymous Group
Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Rosel, Natalie
Keywords
Gay, Alchoholics Anonymous, Identity
Area of Concentration
Sociology
Abstract
An exploratory study of a gay Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group was conducted in an effort to discover possible socio-cultural variables within a particular AA special interest group. Previous research had failed to address these aspects of gay AA groups in favor of focusing on their efficacy as treatment programs. Observational research of meetings was undertaken and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight gay and lesbian members of the group. This study investigated the relationship between two group identity attachments, specifically the relative importance members placed on their gay identity vs. their identity as AA members. Both identity categories involve a discourse that describes its group members as separate and unique from other groups. Both gay identity and AA identity are constructed when members attach a personal meaning to this discourse. The data suggests that gay identity and AA identity are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For some members, it was impossible to separate the construction of gay identity from the construction of AA identity. However, the data also shows that the blending of both identity categories was only one end of a continuum. Other participants descriptions ranged from an occasional, symbiotic relationship between gay identity and AA identity to experiencing the two identity categories as independent from each other.
Recommended Citation
Muvceski, Dana, "Identity Construction in a Gay Alchoholics Anonymous Group" (2004). Theses & ETDs. 3428.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3428
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.