Master's Thesis Defense in Psychology: Hannah O'Connor 4/8

03/25/2024
By Hannah O'Connor

The College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, invites you to attend a Master's Thesis defense by Hannah O'Connor on “'Sexual Health Education and Sexual Self Efficacy Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals."

Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: 10 to 11:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual via Zoom 
Thesis/Dissertation Title: 'Sexual Health Education and Sexual Self Efficacy Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals"

Committee: 

• Advisor Larissa Gaias, Ph.D, Psychology Department, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Ivy Ho, Ph.D, Psychology Department, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Melissa Nemon, Ph.D., Psychology Department, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Brief Abstract: 

Comprehensive sexual health education and sexual self efficacy are important for the promotion of safe sexual practices. The goal of this research is to examine the relationship between the two as it relates to sexual and gender minority identity. A bivariate analysis was run on the Sexual Health Practices Self Efficacy Scale and the Scale to Measure Sexual Minority-Inclusivity in Sex Education to examine a potential correlation between the two. These results were then moderated by sexual and gender minority identity. Regardless of identity all groups showed a significant increase of sexual self efficacy with greater levels of comprehensive sexual education. Further research is recommended to examine the correlation as it relates to sexual and gender minority identity.