Betydningen av seksuell erfaring, tiltrekning og identitet for ...

correlated to frequency of alcohol and marijuana use and other risk
behaviours, than the corresponding relation to the number of female sexual
partners (DuRant et al., 1998). However, the study did not distinguish
between male adolescents with or without homosexual attractions/gay
identity. Recent European studies suggest that homosexual behaviour in
adolescence in many cases is not accompanied by homosexual attraction or
non-heterosexual identity, but correlates strongly with extensive heterosexual
experiences, attractions and identity (Hegna & Larsen, Submitted;
Narring et al., 2003).
Defining heteronormativity as the expectations, demands, and
constraints produced when heterosexuality is taken as normative within a
society (Chambers, 2003), we see that Norwegian adolescents grow up in a
heteronormative environment where homosexual experience in adolescence
is (still) considered to be nonconformist sexual behaviour. Other types of
nonconformist sexual behaviour such as early sexual debut and multiple
sexual partners have been found to correlate with problem behaviour (e.g.
conduct problems and substance abuse), and it has been suggested that
possible underlying mechanisms of such co-occurrence may be a stronger
peer orientation as well as stronger psychosocial unconventionality or
sensation seeking (Jessor, 1982). A longitudinal study found a relationship
between psychosocial unconventionality, i.e. rejection of societal norms and
a propensity to engage in nonconformist behaviour, and early initiation of
sexual intercourse (Costa, Jessor, Donovan, & Fortenberry, 1995). In this
case, sensation seeking could be an underlying factor explaining the
relationship between homosexual experience and substance use.
GLB sexual orientation, social integration and substance
use
Whether homosexual attraction is linked to GLB identity is an open
empirical question (Diamond, 2003). Homosexual orientation and identityquestioning
could be expected to be triggered by homosexual attraction for
some people. For others, homosexual attractions could still have psychosocial
implications that deserve attention, for instance as a consequence of
their sexual minority status (Diamond, 2003) or break with heteronormativity
(Warner, 1993). These implications may therefore be important
to discuss both in relation to sexual identity and sexual minority processes.
Sexual or romantic attractions to peers of the same sex break with a
socialised and naturalised heteronormativity, and may cause shame, distress,
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– NOVA Rapport 1/07 –