Date of Award

Summer 8-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Communication

Committee Chair

Laura Stengrim, Ph.D.

Committee Chair School

Communication

Committee Member 2

Edgar Simpson, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2 School

Communication

Committee Member 3

Fei Xue, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3 School

Communication

Committee Member 4

Cheryl Jenkins, Ph.D.

Committee Member 4 School

Communication

Committee Member 5

Brent Hale, Ph.D.

Committee Member 5 School

Communication

Abstract

This study highlights the intersections among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and/or Other Non-Heterosexual (LGBTQ+) individuals' and/or communities' experiences with romantic relationships, relationship crises, emotional appraisals, coping mechanisms, and cyber tech practices. It employs a mixed-method approach, including in-depth interviews with LGBTQ+ participants and a digital ethnographic investigation of social media platforms. The theoretical framework and review of literature have been drawn from the queer perspectives of numerous critical cultural theories, and media and communication theories. Interviews with LGBTQ+ participants largely demonstrate three distinct mechanisms of coping, including emotional, behavioral, and psychological that LGBTQ+ individuals use after the termination of a romantic relationship. Similarly, digital ethnographic investigation reveals that LGBTQ+ individuals practice networked communication on social media platforms for sexual networking, socialization, and help-seeking. Finally, the conceptual framework presented in this study—"invisible emotions" and "LGBTQ+ cyber techno-practice"—will have implications for academics, researchers, and practitioners to further our understanding of hegemony, marginalization, invisibility, silence, and networked (counter)publics.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-2757-914X

Available for download on Wednesday, January 01, 2025

Share

COinS