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Participants
Participants
15 asexual individuals recruited on campus and through social media:
Age: M = 25.3, SD = 5.59
Gender: Female (60%), Non-binary (20%), Transmasculine (20%)
Race: White/Caucasian (66.6%), Black/African American (13.3%), Ashkenazi (13.3%), White/Asian (6.7%)
Sexual/Romantic Identities N %
Asexual Heteroromantic 2 13.33%
Asexual Demiromantic 2 13.33%
Asexual Abroromantic 1 6.7%
Asexual Panromantic 3 20%
Asexual Aromantic 2 13.33%
Asexual Queer 2 13.33%
Asexual 3 20%
Measures
Measures
Mixed methods study design consisting of two components: (1) an interview facilitated over Zoom and (2) a virtual social network mapping activity.
1. Interview
1. Interview
M = 39.44 minutes, SD = 17.26 minutes
Participants were asked questions about their social networks, asexual identity, and well-being during the Zoom interview. (Refer to the tab at the bottom of the page for the full list of interview questions)
2. Social network mapping activity
2. Social network mapping activity
Participants were directed to complete the social network mapping activity (Figure 1) partway through the interview. The activity entailed listing all individuals within their social network according to their closeness to the individual.
Circle 1 - The most important people, the most integral to their well-being.
Circle 2 - Less important, but still important people.
Circle 3 - Everyone else not yet listed, but who are still deserving of being mentioned as a part of the individual's social network
Participants also indicated for each person listed:
Their name
Their relation
Whether they are a gender/sexual minority themselves
Whether they are aware of the individual's asexual identity
Figure 1 (Antonucci, 1986)
Analysis Plan
Analysis Plan
Thematic analysis of interview transcripts
Descriptive statistics of social network map data
Full list of interview questions:
Full list of interview questions:
Preliminary questions (pre-activity):
How do you label your sexual and romantic identities, and why do you use that/those label(s)?
What do those labels mean to you?
How satisfied would you say you are with your life and why?
What is most influential in determining your level of life satisfaction?
Questions post-activity:
How old were you when you knew you were asexual?
At what age did you first come out to someone else?
As a general process for you, how do you decide which individuals you will come out to, and how do you select the “appropriate” time to do so?
Have you experienced prejudice from the general population because of your asexual identity? If so, please describe this experience/these experiences.
Have you experienced prejudice from the individuals that you listed as being members of your social network? If so, please describe this experience/these experiences.
Have you seen any examples of anti-asexual rhetoric or grand misconceptions of the asexual identity online or in media? If so, please explain.
Do you feel a sense of belonging with the individuals in your social network? Why or why not?
Do you feel as if your asexual identity plays a role in your sense of belonging, both in your life and within your sense of identity? Why or why not?
From the time that you came to this realization that you are asexual, and as you’ve been developing through the concept of your identity, how has that been for you? What kind of emotions has that evoked, and how have you handled this development?
Does the opinion of the individuals in your social network on your asexual identity affect your sense of belonging or sense of identity? Why or why not?
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